OXFORD United are hoping Alex Mowatt will be able to play with a cast at Charlton Athletic this afternoon.

The midfielder broke a bone in his hand during the 2-1 defeat to Bury a fortnight ago.

Permission needs to be granted for players to wear additional protection, but U’s caretaker boss Derek Fazackerley does not expect any issues.

He said: “It’s such a lightweight cast that you’d hardly know he had one on there.

“Obviously Alex has got to be comfortable playing in it, but he’s trained all week without any undue stress, so I should imagine he’ll be fit to play.”

Wes Thomas and Joe Rothwell are in line to return from hamstring injuries, while January signings Rob Dickie, Ashley Smith-Brown and Todd Kane could make their debuts.

Long-term injury absentee Ivo Pekalski is back in training, while Rob Hall joined in with the first team this week for the first time since damaging a knee in November, but is still some way off a return.

Sullay Kaikai and Michal Zyro add to Charlton Athletic’s options after joining on loan late in the transfer window.

Winger Mark Marshall is available after a family bereavement.

TODAY’S LINE-UPS

Charlton Ath: from Amos, Solly, Konsa, Pearce, Dasilva, Forster-Caskey, Kashi, Kaikai, Mavididi, Fosu, Magennis, Zyro, Aribo, Reeves, Marshall, Hanlan, Dijksteel, Jackson, Lennon, Phillips.

Oxford Utd: from Eastwood, Kane, Dickie, Mousinho, Smith-Brown, Henry, Ledson, Ruffels, Rothwell, Buckley-Ricketts, Thomas, Mehmeti, Obika, Van Kessel, Napa, Mowatt, Williamson, Martin, Tiendalli, Carroll, Shearer.