Chris Wilder is hoping the return of three key players will see Oxford United back to their best when they take on relegation-threatened Grays at the Kassam Stadium today.

Luke Foster, Damian Batt and Simon Clist all look set to go straight back into the side after missing the 3-3 draw at Forest Green.

Craig Nelthorpe remains sidelined as he completes his three-match ban for getting sent off in the last home match, against Torquay, but boss Wilder is delighted to have a stronger-looking line-up at his disposal for what appears a must-win Blue Square Premier game for the U’s.

United captain Adam Murray will play, despite a troublesome foot injury.

“I don’t think, to be honest, it was ideal last week, we had big changes in the back four – changes that any side that’s been set up would not want to have,” said United’s boss.

“And they’re big players for us – Foster and Batt have been excellent, and Clisty was a loss. To have those three players back for this weekend is a big bonus.

“I think people saw, when the teamsheet came out last Saturday, with two kids on the bench, that we weren’t at our strongest.

“It’s good to have these boys back, no excuses, we need to go and win the game, we understand that.

“We’ve got to win the majority of games between now and the end of the season. that pressure’s been on since I took over. Nothing’s really changed.”

Grays, who have drawn their last three away games, beat Oxford United 2-0 at home earlier in the season. Third from bottom of the table, they will be fighting for their lives Wilder said: “Grays have got some experienced players and coming to the Kassam won’t faze them – Tony Dinning, Stuart Thurgood, James Stuart and Fabian Wilnis, players of calibre and experience.

“They’ll come and no doubt will raise their game and that's always going to be an obstacle we have to overcome.

"But on the plus side, we've got players who can hopefully pass the ball better than we did last week, even though the conditions weren't great, and play to our strengths and hopefully get the win."

One interesting selection poser for Wilder will be whether to go with Chris Carruthers or their recent signing Kevin Sandwith at left back.

Oxford Utd: (from) Turley, Batt, Willmott, Foster, Carruthers, Chapman, Murray, Clist, Haldane, Farrell, Constable, Hinchliffe, Odubade, Hutchinson, Day, Sandwith, Burnell, Groves.

Grays Ath: (from) Beckwith, Wilnis, Stuart, Dinning, Beavon, Cogan, Elliott, Thurgood, Hudson-Oboi, Slabber, Lindie, Pugh, Arnold, Gier, Davis, Quistin.