THE knee injury suffered by Cameron Brannagan looks set to open the door for both Tyler Goodrham and Louie Sibley to battle it out for a midfield spot at Oxford United.

Influential midfielder Brannagan looks set to miss about six weeks with the knee problem he suffered during United’s 1-0 win at home to Stoke City earlier this month.

Goodrham, who shone when moved inside to midfield last season, has started seven of the opening eight games of the season in all competitions, but from a wide role, while summer signing Sibley has struggled to break into the first team.

The 23-year-old started both Carabao Cup ties, however his league action has been limited to just two substitute appearances so far.

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Sibley scored both goals as the U’s beat Luton Town in an Under-21s clash at the training ground in midweek, as he looks to earn a first team spot.

United head coach Des Buckingham said: “Louie Sibley scored the two goals, the scoreline was 2-1, and Louie scored both before being moved to left back on a hat-trick, which he dealt with extremely well.

“That midfield with Cam missing obviously opens up opportunities, but we also have Tyler Goodrham, who we moved inside last year, and he’s very capable across that front line in both wide positions, but Tyler also brings something different in that inside role.

“We’ve got Tyler and Louie, and it’s an opportunity for both of them now, whether it be in place of Idris [El Mizouni], or for Idris during games, to come in and show what they can do.”

Talking further about the midweek Under-21s match, Buckingham added: “We had a good game here at the training ground. We don’t have a reserve team, and it’s something we’ve spoken about before.

“We need some games underneath our first team, to carry the squad that we are, to make sure when we put them on the pitch, they’ve got a bit more match sharpness and are a bit better prepared to go and compete at that level.

“The academy has entered an Under-21 league. The games aren’t every week, but they are scheduled and we can fit them into our own first team schedule, which is great.

“We had the first of those games here at the training ground against Luton on Tuesday. We used that as an opportunity to play Jacob Knightbridge in goal, Hidde [ter Avest] played at right back, Ben Nelson played at centre back, and Marselino [Ferdinan] and Louie Sibley in midfield.

“Kyle Edwards got some more minutes into him, Dane Scarlett and Will Goodwin also shared game time, and Malcolm [Ebiowei] on the right-hand side as well, so there was a lot of opportunity in that space.

“If you’re under 21, you can play, but we can also play four overage players, and that’s going to be really helpful to the players.”