Chris Wilder says that it is only a matter of time before Deane Smalley fires on all cylinders.

The summer signing has struggled to hit top gear this season and is still looking for his first goal for the club.

But Oxford United’s manager will not rush the former Oldham striker and has complete faith that he will prove a big success.

Strikers James Constable and Lewis Guy have found the net in the last two games, and Smalley looks set to be recalled to the starting XI for today’s visit of Aldershot.

Wilder believes that when he gets that first goal, people will see his true ability.

“It was great for Beano (Constable) to get two last week, and Lewis Guy got one the week before,” Wilder said.

“And I think that Deane Smalley is waiting to explode. It just takes one moment. He desperately wants to do well.

“The supporters have not seen what he is all about yet, but he is here for three years – we have to be patient. There is no rush.

“We’ve had a conversation with him this week and said to him that he just needs to relax. Once he gets a goal, the confidence will be there and he will be off and running.”

Only Tom Craddock and Tony Capaldi, both long-term injuries, are ruled out.

Aldershot have only picked up one win from four league games this season, but enjoyed a 2-1 victory at West Ham in the Carling Cup on Wednesday night, a game that Wilder saw.

“They thoroughly deserved their win, so will be full of confidence,” he said.

Aldershot boss Dean Holdsworth, whose side have no injury problems, said: “It is another massive challenge for our football team.

“Oxford are a very good club in this division and we have got to maintain the same kind of form.

“We know that we can play, and scoring the goals at West Ham will hopefully give everybody a lift and we can build on it.”

TODAY'S SQUADS Oxford Utd: from Clarke, Whing, Duberry, Wright, Davis, Heslop, McLaren, Leven, Smalley, Constable, Guy, Pittman, Potter, Hall, Payne, Worley, Batt, Tonkin, Brown.

Aldershot: from Young, Herd, Straker, Guttridge, Jones, Collins, Hylton, Rodman, Morris, Taylor, Vincenti, Worner, Brown, McGlashan, Rankine, Bubb, Pullis, Montgomery.