Oxford v Cheltenham preview
Last Updated: December 31, 2012 10:46am
Capaldi: Pushing for a recall
Team news ahead of the New Year's Day clash between Oxford and Cheltenham at the Kassam Stadium.
Oxford left-back Luke O'Brien will hope to hold on to his place in Chris Wilder's side with Tony Capaldi available again after suspension.
The 24-year-old former Bradford defender made his sixth start for the club, but his first since October, in the victory at AFC Wimbledon with Capaldi serving a one-game ban and Liam Davis injured.
The in-form U's, unbeaten in nine games, look set to be without striker James Constable who saw red for the second time this season for an apparent elbow on Wimbledon's Will Antwi but the club will appeal the decision.
"I've lost a player who's absolutely flying for four big games now," Wilder said. "I can't afford to lose anyone. We're gutted. A report and an appeal will go in 100 per cent."
Oxford are now just seven points off a play-off place and ten points behind their New Year's Day opponents.
Cheltenham winger Jake Taylor is set to start in the final game of his loan stay from Reading.
The Wales Under-21 international, who is keen to extend his stay with the Robins, netted a memorable strike in the 4-0 win over Wycombe on Boxing Day.
A waterlogged pitch meant their meeting with Bristol Rovers was postponed on Saturday and manager Mark Yates has no fresh injury worries.
Right-back Sido Jombati is likely to retain his place having been taken off against the Chairboys as a precautionary move.
Striker Kaid Mohamed returned from an ankle injury on Boxing Day as a second-half substitute and is expected to be named on the bench once again.
Jeff Goulding and Darryl Duffy are expected to continue in attack after both netted in the win against Wycombe.
Matches
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npower League 2
Table
npower League 2
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gillingham | 46 | 83 |
| 2 | Rotherham United | 46 | 79 |
| 3 | Port Vale | 46 | 78 |
| 4 | Burton Albion | 46 | 76 |
| 5 | Cheltenham Town | 46 | 75 |
| 6 | Northampton Town | 46 | 73 |
| 7 | Bradford City | 46 | 69 |
| 8 | Chesterfield | 46 | 67 |
| 9 | Oxford United | 46 | 65 |
| 10 | Exeter City | 46 | 64 |
| 11 | Southend United | 46 | 61 |
| 12 | Rochdale | 46 | 61 |
| 13 | Fleetwood Town | 46 | 60 |
| 14 | Bristol Rovers | 46 | 60 |
| 15 | Wycombe Wanderers | 46 | 60 |
| 16 | Morecambe | 46 | 58 |
| 17 | York City | 46 | 55 |
| 18 | Accrington Stanley | 46 | 54 |
| 19 | Torquay United | 46 | 53 |
| 20 | AFC Wimbledon | 46 | 53 |
| 21 | Plymouth Argyle | 46 | 52 |
| 22 | Dagenham & Redbridge | 46 | 51 |
| 23 | Barnet | 46 | 51 |
| 24 | Aldershot Town | 46 | 48 |
