Live Commentary

Valiant return for McDonald Clayton McDonald could return to the Port Vale starting line-up for the visit of Oxford. The defender proved his fitness after a hamstring injury with a late appearance as a substitute during the 5-0 defeat by champions Swindon last weekend. Goalkeeper Stuart Tomlinson may return from illness to challenge Chris Martin for the gloves. Forward Lewis Haldane has had a run-out for the reserves following his recovery from a broken leg but will not be involved as he bids to get fit for next season. Captain Marc Richards and midfielder Anthony Griffith, who will be out of contract in the summer and are thought to have attracted interest from rival clubs, are set to keep their places in the side. Play-off chasing Oxford are on the lookout for a goalkeeper. England Under-19 keeper Connor Ripley has returned to parent club Middlesbrough having endured a nightmare debut in last weekend's 2-0 home defeat to Southend - just hours after arriving at the Kassam Stadium on the back of an emergency call. Ripley was summoned by the U's late on after Wayne Brown joined Ryan Clarke (rib) in the treatment room having suffered a serious knee injury in training last Friday. Manager Chris Wilder told the club's official website: "With such a pressure game against Port Vale on Saturday, we're looking to bring in someone with maybe a bit more experience and we have been working hard to make that happen." Elsewhere, Oxford will assess a couple of players as late as possible, including striker James Constable (thigh), as they head to Vale Park knowing they must win and Crewe must lose at home to Aldershot in order to clinch seventh spot.