Oxford United will be looking for a first win in four when Thames Valley rivals Reading visit Grenoble Road.
The U’s lost against Barnsley and Bristol Rovers last week before a credible draw against league leaders, Portsmouth.
The Royals have lost just once from their last six, beating Derby and picking up draws against Peterborough and Leyton Orient in that run.
Fin Stevens and Jamie Cumming are the latest Oxford players to be pick up injuries, although the latter should be available. Will Goodwin is still missing, but there could be a return for Billy Bodin and Josh Murphy.
Reading don’t have any fresh injury concerns but Coniah Boyce-Clarke, Mamadi Camara and Dominic Ballard are all doubts.
Oxford signed Owen Dale and Jay Matete on deadline day and the duo could feature against Reading. The Royals lost Tom McIntyre, Taylan Harris and Caylan Vickers late in the window.
This is the first meeting between the two sides at Grenoble Road since the Royals won 2-0 in the League Cup in 2004. In fact, the visitors have won on their previous three visits to Oxford. The reverse fixture earlier in the season ended 1-1.
Predicted line-up: Jamie Cumming, Greg Leigh, Ciaron Brown, Elliott Moore, Oisin Smyth, Marcus McGuane, Cameron Brannagan, Tyler Goodrham, Ruben Rodrigues, Tyler Burey, Mark Harris.
Prediction: Oxford United 3-0 Reading
