OXFORD United’s midfield is causing Karl Robinson a headache as he looks to plot a way past former club MK Dons tomorrow.

The U’s head coach has gone five matches without picking the same trio in the centre of the park as he tries to find the right blend.

Marcus McGuane’s thigh injury, which will rule him out for the rest of the season, is a real blow, with Robinson conceding his side lack power without the Nottingham Forest loanee.

But the United boss also noted that the five players who have started in midfield in the last five games – James Henry, Cameron Brannagan, Alex Gorrin, Mark Sykes and Liam Kelly – have scored just six goals between them this season.

That is half the combined tally of defenders Josh Ruffels, Elliott Moore and Sam Long and Robinson knows this is a concern.

“Our back four have scored more than our midfield,” he said.

“Even though we miss Marcus McGuane, he didn’t score enough goals.

“That was the one bit of his game he had to start doing.

“We’ve got to have enforcers, ball-manipulators, goal-creators and, every now and then, goal-getters.

“That’s an area we have to improve.”

Read also: Karl Robinson's 'complete clarity' over Oxford United's potential

Although McGuane did not find the net in any of his 21 appearances, he had been performing well in the two months before his injury.

United confirmed yesterday the former Arsenal trainee will need to undergo a 12-week recovery programme after he suffered the setback in his recovery from a thigh injury, dashing any faint hopes he could be available later in the Sky Bet League One season.

McGuane was a key part of Robinson’s starting line-up during the early stages of the U’s nine-match winning run and the head coach admitted he suited his style.

He said: “I’m a sucker for players of that ilk.

“The lads would say ‘the gaffer’s son’s in the building’ when he walked in.

“It was the same with Shandon, the same with Marcus Browne.

“When I’ve enjoyed winning runs we’ve had power in the middle of the park.

“It gives you that different dimension and takes the pressure away from your wide players.”

OPINION: Oxford United's form was always going to dip

It means Robinson may again rotate his midfield three tomorrow at Dons, where he managed from 2010 to 2016.

One player who could step up in 2021/22 is 19-year-old Leon Chambers-Parillon, who made two appearances in this season’s Papa John’s Trophy before being loaned out to Vanarama National League South side Havant & Waterlooville.

Robinson said: “He’s certainly one to challenge for that in the summer.

“But he doesn’t show the power in some of the games that we’ve seen him play.

“When the game’s tight it’s something he has to develop.

“He has the stature, he has the physicality, he has the ability.

“He wants to learn and I think it’s important we keep that momentum on an upward spiral – not one where it’s a meteoric rise, before a slippery slope down the other side.”