OXFORD United look likely to be without defender Jake Wright for at least a couple of weeks.

But manager Chris Wilder has paid tribute to Mark Creighton, who patiently waited for his chance, and took it admirably last weekend in United’s 2-0 win at Hereford.

Creighton and former Edgeley Park youngster Harry Worley will be the centre back pairing again when seventh-placed Oxford face Stcokport County at the Kassam Stadium tomorrow.

Wilder says Wright’s back injury was worse than they realised.

“Jake’s struggling a bit,” he admitted. “He went to see another consultant in the week and he recommended an injection to try and settle it down, and it may be a bit longer than we first thought.

“That’s disappointing for Jake and ourselves, because he’s been a quality performer for us, especially this season.

“It’s not ideal that we’ve got two right-footers at centre half, but Creights’s attitude has been first class.

“Last Saturday he got tight, he won headers, got tackles in and was superb.

“As always, when someone gets injured it opens a door for someone else.

“It’s been a difficult period for Creights because Harry’s come in and done really well, but he has bounced back and his attiitude has been first-class.

“He shows what we are about, not just as a football club and as players, but as individual characters as well.

“After what he had done for us last year, he could quite easily have spat his dummy out and done this, that and the other. But he’s stuck at it and there’s no doubt he took his chance last Saturday.

“Ben Purkiss was a good example of stepping up to the plate when Damian Batt was injured, and Mark’s the same.

“Ben coming in hasn’t really weakened us, and I thought Mark was outstanding.

“It’s comforting to know we’ve got players who can come in and do a job when needed.”