Taylor Ready to Return

Oxford United striker Matty Taylor could be set to return to action as early as this weekend when the U’s host Tranmere Rovers.

The 29-year-old forward, who suffered a first-half injury in the defeat at his former club Bristol Rovers, has only made two appearances since rejoining his hometown club.

But his return to fitness has been ahead of schedule, and the on-loan Bristol City man returned to full training yesterday.

U’s head coach Karl Robinson told the Oxford Mail: “You don’t realise (how big a boost that is), we see him every day in training and he’s a fantastic footballer.

“It also takes the pressure off the likes of Jamie (Mackie), you can see how he flogs his body.

“He had nothing left in him with 20 minutes to go on Saturday at Fleetwood.”

It will be a welcome return for U’s fans who have seen their side struggle in front of goal in recent weeks.

Mackie netted his first league goal of the season as the U’s drew 3-3 with Coventry City, but the other two goals came via own goals.

The U’s netted once at Fleetwood and scored twice late on to beat Millwall in the Carabao Cup second round, but finishing their chances whilst still shipping goals at the other end has been an essential part of their recent decline.