Oxford Utd V Rochdale at The Kassam Stadium : Match Preview

19 April 2013 12:32
Oxford Utd V Rochdale - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Duo set for U's return

Oxford look set to be boosted by the return of James Constable and Jon-Paul Pittman to the matchday squad against Rochdale.

The attacking duo both missed last weekend's victory over Dagenham, Constable with an ankle problem and Pittman with a hamstring injury sustained in the win over Wycombe, but look likely to come back into contention.

But captain Jake Wright looks set to miss out with a back injury which means Michael Duberry and Michael Raynes are likely to pair up in defence.

Oxford manager Chris Wilder will have to decide whether to stick with young goalkeeper Max Crocombe against Dale after his clean sheet in the 1-0 win over the Daggers last weekend.

The 19-year-old shotstopper, making just his second appearance, was a surprise inclusion and he will now be hoping to keep his place ahead of former Plymouth keeper Luke McCormick.

Left-back Tony Capaldi is fit again to join the squad, while youngsters Callum O'Dowda and Sam Long are both likely to continue on the bench.

Rochdale manager Keith Hill has no new injury worries.

Hill penned a new three-year contract at Spotland on Thursday and revealed planning for next season is already underway.

As part of those preparations, on-loan Luton defender Wayne Thomas is expected to feature at either centre-half or right-back.

Thomas is yet to play since joining from the Hatters last month, largely as a result of Dale's six-match unbeaten run, and Hill is keen to take a closer look at the 33-year-old.

Youth team starlet Callum Camps will hope for further action after coming off the bench to make his debut during the second half of last weekend's 2-2 draw with Port Vale.

Ritchie Jones (ankle) is expected to miss out once more, while Andrew Tutte, Rhys Bennett (both knee) and Reece Gray (broken leg) remain long-term absentees.

Source: PA