OXFORD United's bid to string back-to-back wins together tonight has been hampered by a spot of injury trouble to their backs.

Malcolm Shotton's team are buzzing after Saturday's 4-1 win over QPR and are hoping to make it two victories on the trot for the first time this season in the Division 1 game against Denis Smith's West Brom at the Manor.

But three of their four defenders from Saturday's game are struggling with injuries.

Les Robinson had to pull out of training yesterday after feeling a slight hamstring pull and he has joined Phil Gilchrist (leg) and Phil Whelan (groin) on the treatment table.

Five-goal leading scorer Dean Windass was also receiving treatment for a dead leg that he picked up in Saturday's victory, but he is expected to make it.

Gilchrist should have recovered in time, but both Whelan and Robbo were rated at only 50-50 by Shotton, who may not want to risk his skipper for fear of aggravating the injury further.

Christophe Remy, whose only appearance this season came in the 2-0 defeat at Crystal Palace, has been put on stand-by to cover for Robinson, while Brian Wilsterman is ready to step in should Whelan drop out.

Shotton paid tribute to the fans for the way they lifted the side against QPR, and is urging them to reproduce that atmosphere this evening. "The fans were absolutely magnificent," he said. "It's the best I've ever known them since I've been manager and coming off the back of our defeat at Sunderland it was a big boost for the players.

"You'd be surprised what a difference it can make. The players were a bit apprehensive about what kind of reception they would get but the supporters put them completely at ease."

Assistant manager Mark Harrison said: "We've been winning one and losing one, it's all a bit iffy and bitty. We want to make it two on the bounce to get some consistency."

Whichever defenders United field, the man they will have to watch is 22-year-old Lee Hughes, the leading scorer in Division 1, with ten goals this season.

Signed for £250,000 from Kidderminster, he is now rated in the £3m bracket. Hughes scored two more at the weekend, but Albion let slip a 2-0 lead as they drew 2-2 at Stockport.

They have won only one of their last five but have chalked up two away wins, 3-0 at Port Vale and 3-1 at Bristol City.

Winger Mark Angel, who followed Smith and coach Malcolm Crosby by moving from Oxford to West Brom in the summer, on a free transfer, has made just one starting appearance - in a 5-1 defeat at Grimsby, and is expected to be on the bench.

Matt Carbon is set to return after a knee injury at left back because Jason Van Blerk is suspended.

But another Smith signing, midfielder James Quinn, from Blackpool, will require a late fitness test after taking a bang on his ankle at Edgeley Park.

Highlights are due to be shown in Central Sports Special tonight (10.40).

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