SIRIKI Dembele picked up a knock on his ankle in the first half of Oxford United’s draw at home to Derby County.

The 28-year-old winger was taken off at half-time, with the score 1-0 to the U’s, and was replaced by Owen Dale.

United already face something of an injury crisis out wide, with the team already missing Kyle Edwards, Matt Phillips and Przemyslaw Placheta due to injury.

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Edwards is only expected to miss a couple more weeks with an ankle injury of his own, while it’s likely Phillips and Placheta will return after the November international break.

If Dembele was to miss the trip to Sunderland this weekend, it would leave the U’s with Dale, Malcolm Ebiowei, Marselino Ferdinan and Tyler Goodrham as the natural options to line up on the wings.

The likes of Greg Leigh, Louie Sibley and Mark Harris could though be played away from their natural positions if required.

United first team assistant head coach Craig Short said of Dembele: “He got caught on his ankle. As he cut inside, he got caught behind, so that was something we could do without really.

“We’ll have to assess him and see how we are because it’s one position we don’t want to get injuries.”