Oxford United strikers James Constable and Matt Green are back to face Altrincham this afternoon – refreshed and itching to go.

The duo missed last weekend’s FA Cup tie against Thurrock because of suspension, but are expected to come straight back into the side as the table-topping U’s bid to continue their unbeaten home run.

Constable said: “I’m desperate to get back playing again.

“It’s been a tough couple of weeks, obviously having to train all last week, and this week as well not knowing for definite if I’m going to feature.

“But I’m dying to get back and get a game under my belt.”

Last week in training, he and Green were put into a “second-string” team, having to play against the first team, because they weren’t needed for the match ahead.

He said: “In some ways it was good for me to have a bit of a tougher session against Creights and Fozzy (Mark Creighton and Luke Foster).”

Constable has last season’s tally of 23 league goals well within his sights again.

“I think I’m on 11 at the moment, which is quite good going,” he said.

“Considering the start I had last season, when I didn’t really get going, I am pretty happy with my total.

“If I can get past the 20 mark again this season I’ll be happy.”

United’s assistant manager, Mickey Lewis, says whatever tactics Altrincham use, Oxford will try and beat them by good football.

“Like most teams, they will like coming to the Kassam because it’s such a nice stadium and a great atmosphere, but a lot of teams sit back and it’s up to us . . . we will definitely try and play through teams, and pass it,” he said.

Manager Chris Wilder has to decide who to play at right back out of Damian Batt and Adam Chapman if he brings Constable and Green back.

Skipper Adam Murray would then slot back into his more central midfield position, where Chapman filled in last week.

Altrincham have lost their last three games, but before that they went on a seven-match unbeaten run.

They will be without striker Chris Senior, midfielder Tom Kearney and defender James Smith through suspension today.

Oxford Utd: (from) Clarke, Batt, Foster, Creighton, Kinniburgh, Bulman, Murray, Clist, Green, Constable, Cook, Chapman, Turley, Deering, Sandwith, Kelly, Day, Perry.

Altrincham: Coburn, Densmore, Williams, Doughty, Lawton, Danylyk, Clee, Little, Burns, Young, Bennett, Welch, Saunders, Thacker, Bryan.