MICHAEL Appleton’s main selection decision this afternoon rests on who should fill the vacant left back spot for Oxford United.

With Jordan Evans (rib) joining Joe Skarz (groin) on the sidelines, there are no fit specialists for the position in the squad to take on Hartlepool United at the Kassam Stadium.

Appleton believes he has three options.

The U’s head coach said: “We can shift Jonjoe (Kenny) if we need to and put somebody on the right.

“Josh Ruffels I thought did ever so well when he came in there the other night and he’s naturally left-footed, which helps.

“At an absolute push Jake (Wright)’s a natural defender.

“I know it would scare the life out of him getting isolated against a quick winger at some point.

“It’s not ideal, but we don’t live in an ideal world.”

United have to make late judgements on wingers Alex MacDonald and Callum O’Dowda, back after tonsillitis, plus Kemar Roofe and John Lundstram, who have ankle problems, but Jordan Bowery (groin) is out.

Hartlepool are without their top-scorer Billy Paynter (hamstring).

TODAY’S SQUADS

Oxford Utd: from Buchel, Kenny, Dunkley, Wright, Ruffels, MacDonald, Sercombe, Lundstram, Maguire, Hylton, Roberts, Roofe, Waring, O’Dowda, Ashby, Giles, Mullins, Slocombe.

Hartlepool Utd: from Carson, Magnay, Bates, Jackson, Carroll, Woods, Featherstone, Laurent, Gray, James, Thomas, Bingham, Richards, Walker, Oates, Nelson-Addy, Hawkins, Jones, Bartlett.