JOHN Lundstram is set to play through the pain barrier as Oxford United bid to reignite their Sky Bet League Two promotion push.
The U’s host Cambridge United at the Kassam Stadium this afternoon, looking to put behind them a surprise 3-2 defeat at the hands of Barnet three weeks ago.
Lundstram broke a little toe in the 1-1 draw at Braintree Town in the Emirates FA Cup clash last Sunday.
The injury forced him to miss Wednesday’s 2-0 win at Dagenham & Redbridge in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, but head coach Michael Appleton is expecting the midfielder to be fit.
“I think he will be fine, it is only his little toe, but it can be quite painful,” he said.
“If it gets to the point where he might need an injection that is always an option, but if we can resist that we will.”
United have had to shuffle the pack over the last six days with injuries, suspensions and international call-ups taking their toll.
Defender Johnny Mullins and striker Ryan Taylor return after one-match bans, but United are sweating on the fitness of several players.
Kemar Roofe could come back in after United received positive results from a scan on a shoulder injury.
But striker Patrick Hoban is a doubt after hurting his shoulder at Dagenham.
The 24-year-old underwent a scan on Thursday morning and United will wait on the results before deciding whether to risk the Irishman.
George Baldock returns, but Callum O’Dowda is on international duty with Republic of Ireland Under 21s, while Jake Wright (back), Josh Ruffels (foot) and Sam Long (ankle) miss out.
Cambridge midfielder Keith Keane (groin) is out.
TODAY’S SQUADS Oxford Utd: Slocombe, Baldock, Mullins, Dunkley, Skarz, MacDonald, Lundstram, Sercombe, Rose, Hylton, Taylor, Roofe, Gayle, Buchel, Ashby, George, Cundy, Hoban.
Cambridge Utd: Dunn, Omozusi, Sesay, Roberts, Taylor, Donaldson, J Hughes, Berry, Dunk, Corr, Simpson, Legge, Slew, Beasant, L Hughes, Gaffney, Newton, Demetriou.
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