Smalley back for Oxford
Table-topping Oxford will welcome back top scorer Deane Smalley against Rochdale after he was rested last weekend as a precaution.
Three wins and a draw from their first four games have shot the U's to the head of Sky Bet League Two and they will be boosted by the return of Smalley, who felt a tightening in his hamstring in training, against Dale.
Sean Rigg will be missing again having suffered a hamstring tear in their 3-1 victory at Torquay while Jon Meades is also sidelined.
Dave Kitson was a second-half substitute in the 2-2 draw with local rivals Wycombe on Saturday and could earn a recall to the starting line-up.
Rochdale striker George Donnelly is expected to return to the squad following the birth of his son.
Donnelly did not make last week's trip to Plymouth and his place in the starting line-up was taken by Matty Done, who made his first start of the season in the 1-0 defeat.
Right-back Javan Vidal made his first appearance for the club last week in place of Joe Rafferty and is hoping to retain his place, but Dale will be without suspended skipper Peter Cavanagh, who sits out the final game of a three-match ban.
Defender Rhys Bennett, who recently returned to action following a long-term knee injury, was an unused substitute last week and will also be in contention.
Source: PA
