Oxford United will have Cameron Brannagan available again as they welcome AFC Wimbledon to the Kassam Stadium on Boxing Day.
The former Liverpool midfielder has been recovering from an eye inflammation but is now back to full fitness and likely to be in the squad when the U’s take on the Dons.
“It’s just a case of working on his fitness now” Karl Robinson told us. “The vision is fine again; he has been able to drive for a while and the eyes are amazing things: they adjust to things and we just thank God that he has come through it because it could have been so much worse.
“Because of the steroids he was on he had to train on his own for three weeks because it reduced his immune system and left him vulnerable so we kept him away from the squad. Then for the last week or two he has been able to train with the group, he played in a training game last Saturday and then has trained all week so he is there if we need him.
“He’ll be involved in some way against AFC, as will Sam Winnall and that will be another big boost for us. Malachi Napa is training again, although he is still out on loan, which means the only injured player at the club is John Mousinho, who hasn’t done any further damage to his knee but we just need to let it fully settle before we can decide what to do.
“So we are in good shape but it’s not going to be easy. We were looking forward to having the fans back because that has definitely lifted us but we now have to try and make it up to those who missed out and are having to watch at home. Wimbledon are a good side; they have reduced the age of the squad and we know they will cause us problems, but we have had a 12 day gap, we have had a chance to recharge our batteries and we will be ready.”
See the full interview, and the match live, in iFollow