Oxford United are hoping striker Rob Duffy (pictured) will be able to play against Wycombe in the FA Cup tomorrow with a protective cast on his broken hand.

The 23-year-old, who has scored 12 goals in 15 games this season, suffered a fractured second metacarpal during last Saturday's 2-0 win over Aldershot.

He broke the bone in an accidental collision with teammate Andy Burgess during the first half, but played on despite the discomfort.

The Welsh striker went for a scan on Wednesday which revealed the fracture, and saw a specialist to try and find a suitable protective cast to allow him to play in tomorrow's FA Cup first-round tie at Adams Park.

Duffy was having the cast inspected by Oxfordshire referee Dermot Gallagher to see whether it would pass safety guidelines.

United will then check to see how he gets on with it in training today.

"We're hoping he gets the OK from Dermot," said U's manager Jim Smith.

"But I'd have to say Duffy's still a doubt.

"It will be the second cast he's tried out. The first cast he put on wasn't very good."

The short trip to Wycombe holds no fears for United's players.

Indeed, it's something they quite enjoy, having been to a successful pre-season training camp at Bisham Abbey, and having gone back there this week.

"It's something special we wanted to do because it's the FA Cup, and the surface there is excellent so the players enjoy it," Smith said.

Wycombe, riding high in League Two and through to the last eight in the Carling Cup, are on a high. But so too are Conference leaders Oxford, who are looking to make it 20 games unbeaten.

It will be the first game the U's have played this season which they haven't been favourites.

"It will be interesting to see how we deal with that," Smith said.

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