OXFORD United manager Brian Talbot is preparing to shuffle his pack once again for Friday's all-ticket derby at Northampton.

The U's boss is without three midfielders with the injured Chris Hargreaves and Stuart Gray being joined on the sidelines by Lee Bradbury, who is suspended for one game for collecting five yellow cards.

Striker Craig Davies should be available again so it could mean Steve Basham or Chris Hackett dropping back deeper to fill the void.

Or Talbot could switch to three at the back and push Matt Robinson to wingback to bring more left-sided balance to his midfield.

Yet United's manager is used to juggling players around within the team, and he says it hasn't affected them adversely before when he's had to do it.

"Lee Bradbury is suspended so we have to make a change," he told the club's website.

"It means we have to shuffle the pack again. We haven't got that many options, but players have switched roles well recently.

"Jon Ashton has done very well at right back, Bradbury has been good, Lee Mansell has played full back and in midfield, so it may be a case of someone else doing a job for the team on Friday night and all of us sticking together and coming through."

United are on a seven-game unbeaten run and will have the backing of 1,250 supporters at Sixfields Stadium with the game now a sell-out for Oxford fans.

No-one without a ticket should travel to the match.

"Our fans have been magnificent away from home all season and were on Friday night against Carlisle again," Talbot said. "The gate was superb and people are starting to come back.

"The away end is sold out at Northampton on Friday and it's important we put on a good show for them."