Northampton V Oxford Utd at Sixfields Stadium : Match Preview

Northampton V Oxford Utd - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.Injury problems mount for Northampton as they prepare for derbyNorthampton manager Chris Wilder admits he will not be able to put out his strongest side for the visit of local rivals Oxford due to injury concerns around key players.The Cobblers, who lost at home to Dagenham last weekend, will continue to be without defenders Zander Diamond and Brendan Moloney and striker Ricky Holmes (back).Diamond has missed the last four games due to a dead leg and Moloney is a long-term absentee. Northampton were dealt a further blow with the loss of loanee defender Adam Yates to a thigh injury and he has now returned to Port Vale.Wilder, whose side sit 16th in the table, said: "We've got a couple of bumps and bruises so it's not going to be our strongest side, we understand that, but whatever team I put out, we want to make sure we're positive from the front foot and get at the opposition."Oxford are likely to be without striker Kemar Roofe, who scored the only goal in Sunday's win at Bristol Rovers before having to leave the field with what looked like a serious shoulder injury.A scan has since revealed that the damage is not as bad as first feared and while he is likely to miss out this weekend, his absence may not be prolonged.Head coach Michael Appleton told the club's official website: "At the moment, he is highly doubtful for the game at Northampton, but if it settles like we expect it to, then it shouldn't be too long. Then we just have to ensure that he can't cause any more damage by playing with it. You don't want to turn an injury that means you miss one game into one where you miss five or six."Defender Johnny Mullins could be back after missing the game at the Memorial Stadium with an ankle problem, while striker Callum O'Dowda is available once again after his return from international duty with the Republic of Ireland's Under-21s.

Source: PAR