Oxford United return to Sky Bet League 1 action when they welcome Gillingham to Grenoble Road on Saturday.
Team News
The U's are forced in to changes with two of their attacking options unavailable. Winger Gavin Whyte made his first start for Northern Ireland last night in their draw with the Republic of Ireland and will be away with his international teammates this weekend. Jamie Mackie is also ruled out as he serves a one game suspension after picking up five yellow cards this season, meaning that Sam Smith will continue as the focal point for United up front.
Ricky Holmes could return after a back problem but Tony McMahon is ruled out after cracking a rib in the draw with FGR last Saturday. The right back could be out for six weeks and Cameron Norman and Sam Long compete for that place, while Luke Garbutt (hamstring) and Josh Ruffels (knee) will be assessed today before Manager Karl Robinson can select his left back.
With midfielder Aaron Heap also away on international duty and Shandon Baptiste, Samir Carruthers, Jon Obika and Rob Hall all ruled out there could be opportunities for young strikers Slavi Spasov and Harvey Bradbury to step up to the bench: Spasov scored in the under 18s' win over Barnet on Wednesday night, Bradbury scored in the under 23s game at Hull City on Monday.
See Sam Smith and Karl Robinson previewing the game in iFollow right now.
The Opposition
“It doesn’t matter where they are (in the table),” Gillingham Manager Steve Lovell said this week. “Oxford is always a tough place to go anyway and I think they are in a false position down there. It is a big club, Oxford, he (manager Karl Robinson) has some good players there and I am sure Karl will get the team up that table as quick as he can.
“We have to make sure we give them a tough game and get something out of it. But we are on a decent run now, we have just got to keep it going. Including Tuesday (beating Crawley in the Checkatrade Trophy) we have won three out of five, one defeat and only two goals against us, so it is good, that is what we have to build on, that positive side of it.”
The Gills are without former Oxford striker Josh Parker as he is on international duty with Antigua and Barbuda. .
Tickets
Tickets are on sale from the Oxford United ticket office online from oufctickets.co.uk and from the Ticket Office (01865 337533)
Getting Here
For a full guide to transport option, parking and buses CLICK HERE
Away Fans
If you are a Gillingham fan fan travelling to the game then a full Supporters Guide is available here: OUFCAwayDayInfo.pdf
Polythene UK 50/Fifty Draw
There will be another big prize in the half time draw where half the money raised goes to one lucky winner. Tickets cost just £1 and our sellers are all around the ground.
Family
Oxford United pride ourselves on providing a great atmosphere for families to enjoy. We have a full Family Guide to games available HERE: OUFC Family Guide
Family Room
The Family Room is open for all Saturday home games and features activities and games for young fans plus a chance to meet players before kick-off. It is free to join the fun and you can find it in the corner of the South and East Stands from 1.30pm onwards
Coverage
iFollow is available with the full game LIVE to hear in the UK, Ireland and overseas and to see if you are overseas.There will be reaction from the key men after the game, and you can follow all the action on Twitter at @OUFCOfficial and on this site with our OUFC Live coverage. Clive lives....
