Oxford United skipper Chris Hargreaves is virtually resigned to missing the clashes with former clubs Northampton and Brentford after confirmation belatedly came through last night that he had fractured two ribs.

It was a mystery to many at the Kassam Stadium that it has taken so long for the injury to be fully diagnosed by the hospital after X-rays were taken last week.

Indeed, manager Brian Talbot - who will be without stand-in midfielder Lee Bradbury at Northampton on October 14 because of suspension - was preparing to get Hargreaves back training straight away if the results had shown the ribs weren't broken.

But although the lung has now healed, the ribs haven't.

The news on Hargreaves means he will be out for a further three weeks, missing the Coca-Cola League Two games against Carlisle and Northampton, as well as, in all probability, the LDV Vans Trophy trip to Griffin Park.

Hargreaves told United's website: "It's frustrating, but there's nothing we can do about it.

"I will carry on working on my fitness, and see how it goes. I have always been looking to get back for the games at Northampton and Brentford, because I have good memories from the times I spent there.

"I now have only an outside chance of making those, but will give it all I can to make myself available."

Hargreaves has missed United's last four matches, and it's an irony that's not lost on him that the team have won three and drawn the other.

The incident which caused the rib and lung injury came in a challenge with his former Northampton teammate James Hunt in the September 13 game at Bristol Rovers.

The U's are without Craig Davies against Carlisle at the Kassam Stadium this Friday because the striker is on international duty with Wales Under 21s in Germany.

But Talbot is confident that Chris Hackett will be fit to return from his calf injury.