PROMISING teenager midfielder Sam Deering looks certain to be rewarded for his fine debut with an FA Cup start for Oxford United tomorrow – because skipper Joe Burnell is again ruled out with his calf muscle injury.

And the U's have a worry at the back where last season's captain, Barry Quinn, is struggling to be fit for the fourth qualifying round tie at home to Hayes & Yeading.

Manager Darren Patterson said he has worked on different scenarios in case Quinn fails to recover, though Chris Willmott coming in as a straight replacement would appear the most likely option.

Burnell pulled a calf muscle a fortnight ago, but his absence last Saturday provided 17-year-old Deering with a chance to shine on the left of midfield, and he did just that.

Patterson said: "Joe won't be fit and we've got a problem with Barry Quinn.

"He's had an ankle injury for some time and you could see that against Burton, he was limping at times.

"We hoped he would get through this week and we've tried nursing him through, and he trained Tuesday, but pulled up on Wednesday.

"We're hopeful he can play because I think him and Luke Foster have been very solid."

United have been in good form at home over the past month, but their manager says Hayes & Yeading are good going forward and will need to be treated with respect.

"They're scoring a lot of goals and have started the season very well," he said.

"We've got to make sure we're defensively sound, our shape's good and that we approach it in the right manner and right frame of mind, professionally.

"We know that we've got decent qualities and we don't fear anybody at the moment.

"The fans have seen that our home form of late is very similar to how we played pre-season because, simply, it's the same team regularly out there. We've got one or two additions now," he added, referring to Deering.

"It would be nice to play as well, and with the attacking flair, that we did last week. But if it's an ugly 1-0 win, that will do."