CHRIS Wilder is likely to resist the temptation to make any major changes to his line-up when they travel to Crewe looking to extend their unbeaten away run to four matches.
Although United went down to a 1-0 defeat against Stockport, Wilder said there was nothing wrong with their overall performance.
Simon Clist could be added to the squad after playing the entire match in the reserves against Watford, while striker Jack Midson, who missed the game with a hamstring problem, should be fit enough to make the bench.
Jake Wright is still sidelined with a back injury, so Mark Creighton will continue his partnership with fellow centre back Harry Worley.
Skipper James Constable will lead the U’s attack – making his 100th start for the club in the process.
So far this season, United have secured goalless draws at Burton and Wycombe, and enjoyed a 2-0 victory at Hereford.
In their only other away game, they lost at West Ham in the Carling Cup with Avram Grant’s side snatching an injury-time winner in a 1-0 victory.
“We don’t do anything for away matches any differently to the way we approach any game,” said Wilder.
“I think we have been playing well, but there are areas we need to improve on – I think we need to be a bit more clinical with maybe the final touch and that final ball.”
It will be the side’s first meeting since 1999 when the U’s lost 3-1 at Gresty Road in Division 1, with Andy Thomson the scorer for United.
Wilder added: “We don’t have any new injuries, only Jake (Wright).
“He had an injection is his back to relieve the pain, but he’s still a couple of weeks away.
“Jack (Midson) had a tight hamstring in midweek, but he should be okay. Rhys Day has resumed training.”
Crewe boss Dario Gradi, whose side are unbeaten in their last five games, is likely to match United’s 4-3-3 formation.
Although they lost 1-0 at home to Hereford on the opening day, they then won the next three matches at Gresty Road – a 7-0 thrashing of Barnet, the 1-0 Carling Cup first round victory against Derby County and a 3-0 win against Bury.
Gradi said: “I think Oxford are a big enough club to consider getting back to League One and the Championship.
“They have had some decent results.”
On-loan Chelsea keeper Rhys Taylor will continue in goal as Steve Phillips recovers from a shoulder operation.
Mat Mitchell-King, who played alongside Midson at Histon, is likely to be on the bench after the defender suffered a bang on the head in last weekend’s draw at Burton, with Matt Tootle expected to start.
TOMORROW’S SQUADS
Oxford Utd: from Clarke, Purkiss, Worley, Creighton, Tonkin, Heslop, Payne, Hall, Green, Constable, Craddock, Midson, Potter, Deering, Baker, Clist, Bulman, Franks, Eastwood, Cole.
Crewe: from Taylor, Tootle, Ada, Blanchett, Artell, Westwood, Bell, Murphy, Donaldson, Miller, Grant, Zola, Mitchell-King, Leitch-Smith, Dugdale, Garrett.
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