Oxford United boss Chris Wilder will be watching his reserves and young players in tonight’s Oxfordshire Senior Cup final – but like many fans, his mind is on what’s happening at Barrow, Histon and Stevenage.

The U’s are hoping that either Barrow or Weymouth can help them out by taking something off Blue Square Premier play-off rivals Torquay and Histon, and that Stevenage v Kidderminster ends in a draw.

Oxford’s goal difference is better than Stevenage’s, so if that match did end all square, United would be able to overhaul the Hertfordshire outfit if they beat Northwich Victoria in their final game on Sunday, provided Stevenage also lose at Mansfield, who have a good home record.

Wilder and his assistant Mickey Lewis will prepare the mixture of first-team fringe players and youngsters for the Senior Cup final against Banbury United at the Kassam Stadium.

And with Chris Willmott suspended for the final fixture against Northwich because of a one-match ban after his red card at Burton, Shane Killock, Barry Quinn, Matty Day and Eddie Hutchinson, who can all play at centre back, will be getting some useful match practice.

Wilder may, however, opt to go with Kevin Sandwith, who has plenty of experience at centre half, alongside Luke Foster on Sunday.

Wilder said: “I’m just absolutely delighted that we’ve taken it this far.

“I think we’ve deserved to be in the play-offs with our form over the last three months.

“If it happens tonight, it happens, there’s nothing I can do to influence it.

“If Torquay win, and they’re in the play-offs, then good luck to them.

“I’m still aggrieved by one or two things, like the inconsistencies of the Conference, and also the Weymouth situation”

Coach Mickey Lewis said: “I’m sure we’ll have half an ear on what’s going on around the country, you can’t help it, can you?”

“I’ve done so many different permutations, I’ve got to the point where I’ve said ‘let’s just see what happens’.

“But it would be brilliant if it did go down to the final day for us.”

Whatever happens, Oxford are expecting a massive crowd for Sunday’s final match. U’s supporters will be out in force to salute the way Wilder has transformed the team, and the players’ magnificent efforts in taking 52 points out of the last 63.