Cheltenham v Oxford preview

Team news for Tuesday's Johnstone's Paint Trophy second-round tie between Cheltenham Town and Oxford at Whaddon Road.

Cheltenham will be without captain Alan Bennett. The centre-half received a stoppage-time red card in Saturday's 2-2 draw against Fleetwood for retaliating against Town midfielder Jamie McGuire and will serve a three-match ban. Keith Lowe is favourite to replace the Robins skipper and is in line to make his first start since the 3-1 home defeat to Southend. Manager Mark Yates has a fully-fit squad to choose from, and will need to decide whether the U's clash is the right time to restore leading scorer Shaun Harrad to his starting line-up. The Bury loanee was forced to settle for a place on the bench against the Cod Army on his return from a calf injury. Midfielder Sam Deering will also be hoping for a start after losing his place in Yates' starting XI last week. Damian Batt and Deane Smalley are both doubts for Oxford. Batt and Smalley were substituted either side of half-time in the goalless draw against Gillingham on Saturday, and manager Chris Wilder will be hoping both players pass fitness tests ahead of the game. Wilder's squad has already been decimated by injury so far this campaign, with six first-team players sidelined. Peter Leven and Harry Worley were both unused substitutes at the weekend on their return from injuries. Andy Whing, Liam Davis (both groin) and JP Pittman (hamstring) are nearing a first-team return, but will not be risked against Mark Yates' side. Centre-back Michael Raynes (hamstring) and Swindon loanee Lee Cox (groin) are out for a further month, while Michael Duberry is still receiving treatment for a neck injury.