Oxford United manager Karl Robinson has provided an injury update ahead of the U’s trip to Fleetwood Town on Saturday.
Defender Rob Atkinson was close to a return but has picked up a recurrence of a groin injury, while Sam Winnall is set for a return in the cup competitions in just over one week.
With Atkinson being sidelined for a further period of time, it leaves Karl Robinson’s backline in further disarray. The U’s have conceded the joint second-highest amount of goals in the league this season, with players playing out of position and injuries contributing to an unsettled back four.
With the groin injury being an occurrence, Robinson is now unsure how long the 22-year-old will be absent for. Speaking to the Oxford Mail, the U’s boss said: “That’s the third time that’s happened.
“There will have to be more of an extensive look at that to see what is right and wrong.
“It’s only just happened so it’s difficult to comment on, but we’ll have a meeting to go through it.”
In attack, Robinson is willing to be patient to allow Winnall a return. The summer signing has only made two substitute appearances following his late arrival from Sheffield Wednesday. As a result, the 29-year-old has missed much of pre-season, also picking up a couple of niggles.
Robinson added: “Sam feels like he’s getting into a better place.
“He’s not done any sort of running work, so he’s on a pre-season plan now.
“He’s hoping to be involved in the two cup games, one from the bench and one from the start.
“We go 60 minutes and 30 in pre-season, so we’re going to try to do that for him in those two games.
“That will be him ready and raring to go.”
Ahead of the trip to Fleetwood, Anthony Forde looks to have shrugged off any injury woes and is likely to keep his place, but Marcus McGuane looks set to miss out with his partner due to give birth.
