Oxford United will face an Accrington Stanley side hit hard by suspensions and injuries which will deprive them of several key players.

The Lancashire club are without joint top-scorer Josh Windass (hernia) and centre back Dean Winnard (shoulder), while their defensive options could be further limited by a doubt over Matthew Pearson (stomach).

Although reserve goalkeeper Jason Mooney had his red card rescinded last weekend, John Coleman has three other players serving a suspension.

Influential midfielder Matt Crooks, Stanley’s scorer in United’s 3-1 away win last October, Shay McCartan and Adam Buxton are all banned.

Chey Dunkley will start for the U’s in place of skipper Jake Wright (hamstring), who is joined in the treatment room by full back Jordan Evans (cracked rib).

There also several other players carrying niggles which have left Michael Appleton considering when to freshen up the starting XI.

The head coach said: “I don’t want to put ourselves in a position where we have four or five key players out for the sake of a game or two.

“That’s what squads are there for, people have got to come in and take their opportunities when they are given.

TODAY’S SQUADS

Oxford Utd: from Buchel, Kenny, Mullins, Dunkley, Skarz, MacDonald, Sercombe, Lundstram, O’Dowda, Roofe, Hylton, Bowery, Ismail, Maguire, Ruffels, Long, Carroll, Slocombe.

Accrington: from Etheridge, Davies, Wakefield, Wright, Halliday, Conneely, Procter, Mingoia, Boco, McConville, Kee, Gornell, Shaw, Carver, Barry, Goulding, Pearson, Mooney.