Oxford United boss Darren Patterson will make strengthening his midfield a priority in the January transfer window.

The U's are light in central midfield anyway, following the recent departure of Michael Standing, and the problem becomes critical this weekend when they will be without both Carl Pettefer and Phil Trainer for their Blue Square Premier match at Northwich.

Trainer, who had been United's only ever-present this season, is banned for one game after picking up his fifth yellow card of the campaign in last Saturday's 0-0 FA Cup draw against Southend.

Pettefer will be serving the second match of his three-game ban following his harsh red card at Kidderminster on November 24.

So who will partner Eddie Hutchinson in the engine room of midfield at Northwich is a dilemma facing Patterson and his assistant Mickey Lewis.

One option would be to push either of the centre backs, Barry Quinn or Luke Foster, into midfield, but United's management may be reluctant to break them up when they have been playing so well together.

The Southend game was United's third clean sheet in a row - their defence's best sequence for 13 months.

Trainer, who has had an excellent first half to his first season as a pro after joining in the summer from Moor Green, will be missed, and Patterson admitted: "It is a blow that he's suspended, no question.

"It's an area we're light on anyway and one that we're looking to strengthen in January.

"For Saturday, though, there are all sorts of permutations we can look at."

Another alternative would be to go with an adventurous 4-3-3 system - something United might consider because they are facing the league's bottom team, and also beat them in the FA Cup first round proper last month in Patterson's first match in charge.

Hopes that Danny Rose might be able to return following his long-standing hamstring injury appear very optimistic.

Mickey Lewis said: "Phil's suspension does cause us a bit of a problem but I'm sure we'll be able to get around it.

"I don't think Danny Rose is going to be ready in time so we might have to juggle things around a bit. We had a double training session today and worked hard, and it will be on Thursday that we work on the formation for Northwich."

Rob Duffy also has to sit out Saturday's trip to Cheshire as he serves the final of his three-game ban.

United had organised a friendly game locally for yesterday but it was postponed because of the wet weather, so the players ended up taking part in a practice match in training instead.

Patterson may have to wheel and deal to get in the players he wants next month.

He admitted: "We're already making plans for January, and have scouts and Mickey and myself all going out to look at players. Midfield is a key area for us.

"There may be one or two going out to generate what we need to bring others in, but it all depends on how the squad does.

"The two lads we brought in up front have been excellent and there's a fantastic spirit in the camp at the moment.

"The players know that it's up to them whether they keep possession of the shirt, and they've responded well to that."