BUOYANT Oxford United are desperate their game goes ahead today despite hosts AFC Wimbledon yesterday only giving it a 50-50 chance of beating the weather.

The U’s are full of confidence after a 3-1 win at Exeter on Boxing Day, which extended their unbeaten run to eight games.

They are favourites to take the points against a struggling Wimbledon, but there are real doubts over whether the game can go ahead.

Kingsmeadow was waterlogged on Boxing Day and manager Neal Ardley has been among the volunteers working on the playing surface, but with further rain forecast, doubts remain.

U’s boss Chris Wilder said: “We want to keep this run going off the back of a really decent performance and a good result.

“You can see in the players – when they perform you can see a lift.

“It’s not arrogance or overconfidence, but there’s definitely a spark in the group.”

If the game goes ahead, United will have to make a change at left back, with Luke O’Brien coming into the side.

Liam Davis injured a hamstring at Exeter, although he could be back as early as Tuesday, while Tony Capaldi joins Simon Heslop on the suspended list after picking up a fifth booking of the season.

There is better news on Peter Leven, who has is fit after a minor thigh problem.

Wimbledon have an injury doubt over top scorer Byron Harrison, while Jim Fenlon is suspended.

They have not played for a fortnight due to the weather, and have slipped into the bottom two after picking up just two points from their last five games.

TODAY’S SQUADS

AFC Wimbledon: from Sullivan, Osano, Cummings, Mambo, Antwi, Long, Gregory, Meades, Ajala, Midson, L Moore, Jaimez-Ruiz, Balkestein, Harrison, Mitchell-King, Johnson, Djilali, Herbel.

Oxford Utd: from Clarke, Batt, Raynes, Wright, O'Brien, Potter, Cox, Leven, Rigg, Constable, Craddock, Parker, Marsh, Forster-Caskey, Duberry, Worley, Brown, Lynn.

  • Coverage of today's game will be posted on oxfordmail.co.uk and via our Oxford United Twitter feed @OxfordMailOUFC