Early team news as Oxford United head for Hartlepool
Oxford United should be able to call on the services of Danny Hylton once again as they head for Hartlepool on Saturday. Hylton was subbed during Tuesday night’s draw with Newport with a stomach problem but is expected to be available when the U’s make the long trip north.
“We don’t anticipate any problems there” Coach Derek Fazackerley told Yellow Player HD this morning.”He came off with a stomach virus, probably a bug he picked up somewhere, but that has gone through his system and we’re anticipating that he will train today and be fine and ready for the game on Saturday.”
However there was less good news on fellow striker Ryan Taylor who will have a scan next week on a groin problem after also hobbling off on Tuesday.
“With Ryan it is slightly different and we will wait for it to settle down then assess it next week after a scan and try and put some sort of time scale to it” Derek told us.
United have acted quickly to bring Scottish international striker Chris Maguire into the squad as well as promising young left back Jordan Evans from Fulham, and both will be in the squad for the first time on Saturday.
After tough back-to back games against Dagenham and Newport, Fazackerley has warned the U’s to expect another battle on Saturday whatever the league table might suggest.
“All the teams are fighting for their own cause so there is always someone looking to make life difficult for you” he said. “When you are on a decent run like we are at this particular moment in time then you become a bit of as scalp for teams and we have to be wary of that.
“Taking points away from home is incredibly difficult, no doubt about it. Hartlepool may not be in a great place right now but we have to be wary of the wounded animal. We have to be as focussed and committed against Hartlepool as we were against Dagenham and Newport, or will be against the Plymouths and Portsmouths and teams at the top end of the table this season.”
See the full interview plus chats with Jordan Evans and former Hartlepool player Joe Skarz, all in Yellow Player HD where this week’s Preview Show features Peter Rhoades-Brown and Gary Barnett.