Oxford United have had a major double injury scare in training.

Defender Luke Foster, last season’s player-of-the-year, was in considerable pain after going over on his ankle yesterday, while right winger Sam Deering also pulled out with a knee problem.

The U’s had some relief when x-rays revealed that Foster hadn’t broken his ankle.

But he is still out of Tuesday night’s Setanta Shield third-round tie at Forest Green Rovers, and he is a major doubt too for Saturday’s FA Cup second-round clash against Dorchester.

“I was keeping my fingers, toes, everything crossed because Fozzie is very important to us,” said manager Darren Patterson. “I thought he was excellent on Saturday, getting back to the player he was last season.

“The injury wasn’t from a challenge, it was innocuous really.

“The X-ray shows that it’s not broken, which is a big relief, but it’s very swollen and he’s having it strapped up, so we don’t know yet whether there’s any ligament damage. I’d say he’s a big doubt for Saturday.

“Sam pulled out of training. He’s had a bit of a knee problem for a while.”

United will be looking to go further in the competition than they’ve ever gone before when they travel to Forest Green.

The U’s were knocked out on their first appearance last season, when they lost 1-0 at Aldershot Town.

Patterson, although likely to play several fringe players to give them some important match practice, stresses it’s a game he wants to win.

And it’s a chance for Oxford to gain some self-belief on their travels.

“This is a game of football that I’m looking to win, whatever side I put out,” Patterson said.

“Winning’s a habit, and winning’s the best feeling in the world, and it’s something I want to encourage.”

The Setanta Shield rules state that teams must have within their 16-man squad, ten players who have been in at least one of their team’s previous two squads.

Since United had an 18-man party against Hayes & Yeading, that will not be a problem.

Ben Hinchliffe could get a game in goal, and there could be opportunities for Eddie Hutchinson, Yemi Odubade, Matt Taylor and Paul Evans.

TUESDAY NIGHT’S SQUADS

Forest Green Rovers: (from) Robinson, Gill, Hardiker, Jones, Rigoglioso, Afful, Smith, Clist, Fowler, Molyneaux, Mohamed, Mangan, Symons, Platt, Burton, Thomas, Simpson, Lawless, McDonald, Stonehouse.

Oxford Utd: (from) Hinchliffe, Clarke, Day, Willmott, Carruthers, Evans, Hutchinson, Burnell, Haldane, Odubade, Taylor, Turley, Constable, Guy, Trainer, Fisher.