Darren Patterson admits he faces a major dilemma today in whether to bring back Michael Howard at left back against the Vics.

Howard dropped out of Monday's home game against Stevenage to attend the birth of his second child later that afternoon, and had Patterson's blessing to do so.

And the player who filled in for him, Michael Blackwood, produced a fine performance in United's 2-1 victory.

Patterson must be tempted to name an unchanged team, but Howard has been one of United's most consistent performers in the nine games he has played since arriving on loan from Morecambe.

Differentiating the two by referring to Blackwood as Michael and Howard as Mickey, United's manager said: "Michael was bought as a wide left midfielder and he has not done as well going forward as we would have hoped.

"But he has played at left back quite a bit in the past and when he came in and played there on Monday he was excellent, and positionally very solid.

"Mickey in the two games before that was equally as good though.

"It's a big dilemma to have to choose between them, but it's a situation I'd like to be in more often, to have that kind of competition for all the positions in the team."

Patterson's final decision may depend on who he thinks will best defend against lively right winger Jamie Mullan, who is one of Northwich's most dangerous players.

"Mullan is good going forward, but then again he's not so great at getting back and defensively so that's something we may look to try to exploit," said Patterson.

Six-goal striker Matt Green should be OK to play, but will again be given a "lie detector" test to make sure he's not pretending to be fitter than he really feels!

Skipper Barry Quinn says United will not be taken in by Northwich's lowly position in the table.

"The gaffer has made all of the lads very aware of the fact that Northwich currently have the second best form in the league, behind leaders Aldershot," he said.

"We've played them twice already this season and know it's going to be a hard game.

"Everyone's buzzing and confident after making it three wins in a row for the first time this season, but we can't get carried away and we won't take it for granted.

"It's all about having the right approach and preparation and it's important that we do the right things. Northwich are going well but it's about us and what we do."

Oxford Utd: (from) Turley, Day, Quinn, Foster, Howard, Anaclet, Hand, Murray, Trainer, Richards, Green, Blackwood, Rose, McAllister, Clarke, Odubade, Hutchinson, Pettefer.

Northwich Vic: (from) Connett, Brown, Belle, Welch, Meadowcroft, Byrom, Mullan, Crowell, Byrne, Stamp, Steele, Bowler, Carr, Williams, Burns. Horrocks, Tynan.