OXFORD United keeper Ryan Clarke says team success will always come before personal targets.

Clarke, 28, who will make his 73rd appearance for the U’s when they host Shrewsbury Town today, kept 24 clean sheets last season.

And this campaign, he started with five shut-outs in their first nine games.

Since then, however, the U’s have failed to complete the last 14 games without conceding a goal.

The last time they managed a clean sheet was on September 11, when they won 2-0 at Hereford.

But Clarke (pictured above) said his priority is winning games.

“I’m delighted with my form this season,” he said. “I would like to think I have played my part in all our matches.

“I don’t worry about not keeping clean sheets, the main thing for us is to get the three points. – if we win 5-4 or 6-4 it doesn’t matter to me.

“Maybe at the end of the season it’s something I will look at, but I’m not concerned with stats.”

He said he was itching to get back into action after last Saturday’s call-off.

“We’re champing at the bit,” he added. “We’ve had a bit of a blast in training.

“To have the Lincoln game called off was disappointing because we were looking to make it three on the spin.

“Christmas is very busy, but it’s quite enjoyable because the matches come thick and fast. It would be great if we can stay on our good run.”

With striker Tom Craddock suspended for one match after picking up his fifth booking in the win over Barnet, James Constable looks certain to come back into the starting line-up to partner Steve Maclean in attack.

Fifth-placed Shrewsbury will be without striker Craig Disley, who requires a hip operation, while front man Lionel Ainsworth could return at the expense of Matt Harrold.

The Shrews have won only three away games this season, the last of which was at Crewe at the beginning of November when they returned with a 2-1 success.

Oxford Utd: from Clarke, Batt, Worley, Futcher, Kinniburgh, Heslop, Wotton, Clist, Maclean, Constable, Hall, Tonkin, Potter, Eastwood, Green, Payne, Purkiss, Baker, Cole.

Shrewsbury Tn: from Neal, Holden, Sharps, Cansdell-Sherriff, Sadler, Obadeyi, McAllister, McIntyre, Wright, Harrold, Robinson, Van Den Broek, Ainsworth, Bradshaw, Smith, Leslie, O’Donnell, Raven.

Will you be our face in the crowd? See Monday’s Oxford Mail to see if it’s you.