Joe Skarz has been ruled out for a 'minimum of two or three weeks'.

The Oxford United left back was forced off after damaging a shoulder 75 minutes into last weekend’s 3-1 Sky Bet League One defeat at home to AFC Wimbledon.

The U’s confirmed earlier this week Skarz had not suffered a dislocation as first feared, but head coach Michael Appleton confirmed he would be without the 27-year-old for at least the next three games.

“Joe is going to be out for a minimum of two or three weeks,” the U’s boss said.

“In terms of the actually technical terminology of the injury, Procs (Andrew Procter, United’s head of sports science) told me it’s something to do with the ACL joint in his shoulder that has been lifted slightly.

“I just told him all I need to know is how long is he out for!

“If they can control that and stop it from lifting he will only be out for two or three weeks.”

Josh Ruffels is favourite to replace Skarz when United host Bradford City on Saturday.