Strikers take centre stage at the Kassam Stadium tonight as Oxford United top scorer James Constable returns from suspension against an AFC Wimbledon side led by former teammate Jack Midson.
The U’s talisman will be keen to make up for lost time after missing three games for his red card against Swindon Town.
Damian Batt is also available after serving a ban, giving United boss Chris Wilder food for thought with selection following an encouraging performance in Saturday’s 2-1 win against Rotherham United.
He said: “Those two have been integral parts of the team all season, so whatever we go with we’ll be stronger than we were on Saturday.
“There are decisions to be made. As all managers would say, it is a problem, but one you’re prepared to deal with.”
The biggest headache is in a forward line bursting with options.
Scott Rendell has shown extraordinary stamina to lead the line well in Constable’s absence, while Oli Johnson, Dean Morgan and Cristian Montano are competing for places on the flanks.
It ensures the U’s will have a Plan B – and possibly a Plan C – on the bench if they are in need of a goal tonight and after two defeats in 17 games Wilder is presiding over a happy camp.
All eyes will be on Jack Midson, who has flourished since being released by United last summer.
The 28-year-old, who scored 12 times in 35 starts for the U’s, arrives as the division’s leading scorer with 18 goals.
Despite the striker’s success this season, Wilder has no regrets about the decision and says they are on good terms.
He said: “He was a real good guy to work with. I should imagine he would’ve liked more of an opportunity, which every player always has the right to say, and I’d say at the time we were doing OK and maybe he wasn’t doing enough.”
The U’s have won all three meetings with AFC Wimbledon without conceding a goal, most recently winning 2-0 in south London on Boxing Day.
Terry Brown’s side will be without Jason Euell, whose loan spell has ended.
Oxford Utd: from Clarke, Batt, Duberry, Wright, Davis, Whing, Chapman, Leven, Hall, Johnson, Morgan, Montano, Constable, Rendell, Tonkin, Wilson, Worley, Brown AFC Wimbledon: from Brown, Mitchell-King, Gwillim, Balkestein, Moncur, Hatton, S Moore, Yussuff, L Moore, Knott, Djilali, Jolley, Midson, Johnson, Turner.
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