Oxford Utd

England name squad for Rovers tie
Oxford United have had two players named in the first England National Game squad of the season following their relegation to the Conference. Defender John Dempster, 23, and striker Yemi Odubade, 19, are in the squad to play Forest Green on 5 September to mark the opening of Rovers' new ground. Boss Paul Fairclough has restricted his selection to players from the south of the country for the game. Rushden & Diamonds midfielder Marcus Kelly, 20, is another new face. The Diamonds were relegated from the League along with Oxford in May. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- England National Game squad: Goalkeepers: Jalal (Woking), Lee-Barrett (Weymouth) Defenders: Smith (Aldershot), Dempster (Oxford), Okuonghae (Aldershot), Morrison (Cambridge), Griffiths (Dagenham) Midfielders: Kightly (Grays), Davis (St Albans), Bampton (Tamworth), Fuller (Stevenage), Kelly (Rushden) Forwards: Morgan (Yeading), Peters (Basingstoke), Odubade (Oxford), Soares (Aldershot)

Smith ready for Terras showdown
Oxford boss Jim Smith is relishing Monday's Bank Holiday clash with fellow Conference high-fliers Weymouth. The duo are locked at the top of the table with four wins from four, after the U's beat Northwich 5-1 while the Terras won 1-0 at Kidderminster. \"We played some very good stuff against Northwich and got the goals at the right time,\" Smith explained. \"But it's going to be a battle when we go to Weymouth as the way they play is very confrontational.\"

Weymouth v Oxford Utd
Weymouth boss Garry Hill is likely to name an unchanged side for the top-of-the-table clash. The Terras will definitely be without Roy O'Brien (foot), Andy Harris (knee), Trevor Challis (knee), Dean Howell (groin) and Ross Carmichael (ankle). Oxford boss Jim Smith could hand a start to Nigerian-born striker Yemi Odubade, after he scored for the second time this season against Northwich. Defender John Dempster remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Basham avoids long injury lay-off
Oxford striker Steve Basham may be spared a lengthy injury lay-off after limping out of the top-of-the-table clash with Weymouth. Basham strained a hamstring early on in the 1-1 draw at the Wessex Stadium. The 28-year-old is likely to miss Friday's game against St Albans City but an examination suggests Basham has sustained no long-term damage. Defender John Dempster is expected to return against St Albans after missing two games with a hamstring problem.

Oxford Utd 2-1 St Albans
Matt Day's late winner helped 10-man Oxford beat St Albans and move to the top of the Conference table. Oxford were well on top before being reduced to 10 men when Chris Hargreaves was sent off for a tackle on Tom Davis. But the U's still took the lead soon after when Yemi Odubade Odbade met Rob Duff's pass and fired home. St Albans levelled when David Theobald headed home Adam Wilde's corner but Day replied instantly to drill his shot into the top corner to clinch victory. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oxford Utd: Turley, Willmott, Quinn, Gilchrist, Anaclet, Pettefer, Hargreaves, Burgess, Johnson (Day 29), Robinson (Odubade 21), Duffy (Hutchinson 76). Subs Not Used: Tardif, Dempster. Sent Off: Hargreaves (67). Booked: Odubade, Willmott. Goals: Odubade 69, Day 84. St Albans: Bastock, Batt (Simon Martin 70), Elphick (Okuonghae 65), Theobald, Flynn, Hann, Seeby, Davis, Wilde, Hakim, Clarke. Subs Not Used: Cracknell, Sozzo, Norris. Booked: Hakim, Seeby. Goals: Theobald 83. Att: 6,190 Ref: N Kinseley (Essex).

Oxford hit by Johnson injury blow
Oxford United defender Gavin Johnson may be out of action for up to a month with a torn hamstring. Johnson, who joined the U's from Northampton Town during the summer, was injured in Oxford's weekend win over St Albans City. United physio Neil Sullivan told the Oxford Mail: \"He's got a scan coming up on Thursday but it doesn't look great.\" However, new signing Marvin Johnson has been given the all clear to play on despite his dislocated finger.

Morecambe 0-3 Oxford Utd
Oxford cruised to a comfortable victory at Morecambe to extend their lead at the top of the Conference. Steve Basham's header gave Oxford the lead before Phil Gilchrist latched on to Chris Wilmott's flick to double the visitors' tally. Oxford sealed victory in the last minute when Chris Blackburn's foul on Marvin Robinson gave them a penalty. Basham's spot-kick was easily saved by keeper Ryan Robinson but Andrew Burgess followed up to score. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morecambe: Robinson, Yates, Meadowcroft, Blackburn, Perkins, Thompson (David McNiven 68), Hunter, Craig Stanley, Curtis, Carlton, Twiss. Subs Not Used: Drench, Howard, Brannan, McLachlan. Booked: Meadowcroft. Oxford Utd: Turley, Willmott, Quinn, Gilchrist, Anaclet (Day 45), Brevett, Pettefer, Hutchinson (Dempster 71), Burgess, Basham (Odubade 64), Robinson. Subs Not Used: Tardif, Kennet. Booked: Anaclet, Robinson, Hutchinson, Quinn, Day, Turley. Goals: Basham 22, Gilchrist 34, Burgess 90. Att: 2,314 Ref: M Oliver (Ashington).

Oxford Utd v Exeter
Oxford boss Jim Smith is likely to name an unchanged team, giving a home debut for new signing Rufus Brevett. Brevett replaces hamstring victim Gavin Johnson, Rob Duffy is a doubt with a groin strain, and Chris Hargreaves completes his three-match suspension. Danny Woodards is expected to keep his place in the Exeter team after earning a recall against Aldershot. Woodards is favoured to keep his place in a settled back four in place of utility player Andy Taylor.

U's were fortunate, admits Smith
Oxford boss Jim Smith admitted his side had enjoyed the rub of the green in beating Exeter 1-0 to go five points clear at the top of the Conference. Steve Basham's early goal proved enough for Oxford, who also missed a penalty, to secure their first home win on a Tuesday evening for eight years. \"I find that incredible, but I suppose all that bad luck has transferred the other way tonight,\" said Smith. \"It's the first time I can say this, but we were fortunate.\" Smith added: \"They were a good side, probably the best we've played so far.\"

Brooks back with Oxford as coach
Former Oxford striker Jamie Brooks is back with the club after being handed a job at the Centre of Excellence. The 23-year-old will help with the coaching of the under-nine squad while working towards his coaching badges. He was released by Oxford boss Jim Smith in 2006 club's relegation to the Conference and joined Didcot Town. Brooks was out of the U's first team for over two years, between April 2002 and November 2004, after being struck down with Guillain-Barr Syndrome.

Oxford Utd v York
Oxford pair Andy Burgess (flu) and Phil Gilchrist (Achilles) are fit to return and will both start. Defender Gavin Johnson (hamstring) will be out for another three weeks and Marvin Robinson is sidelined after undergoing knee surgery. David McGurk has recovered from a cut eye and James Dudgeon has shrugged off an illness so both are in contention for a recall for Oxford. Midfielder Lewis McMahon's place in the side is under threat from Mark Convery.

Brevett agrees new deal at Oxford
Veteran defender Rufus Brevett has agreed a new deal to remain with Conference leaders Oxford United for the rest of the season. Brevett, 37, joined the U's on a short-term contract last month and has done enough in eight appearances to warrant an extended stay. He told Oxford's website: \"It's nice to be part of a successful team so I'm delighted to stay and try and help.\" He has previously served Doncaster, QPR, Fulham, West Ham and Plymouth.

Oxford Utd v Altrincham
Oxford defender Chris Willmott serves a one-match suspension after collecting five yellow cards. Rufus Brevett is doubtful with a tweaked knee, but Oxford are more confident about Andy Burgess (ankle). Altrincham should welcome Colin Little and Stuart Coburn back after recovering from ankle and groin injuries. Doubts remain over Gary Scott (knee), Gary Talbot (calf) and Steve Bushell (knee), while Peter Thomson is still short of match fitness.

Oxford Utd 1-1 Altrincham
Conference leaders Oxford maintained their unbeaten start to the season but saw their lead at the top cut after a disappointing draw with Altrincham. Matt Day, who hit the post in the first half, hammered in the opener from 25 yards to give Oxford a deserved lead. The visitors had keeper Richard Acton to thank for keeping the score down as Day and then Eddie Anaclet went close. But Oxford paid for their misses when Stephen Aspinall scored from the spot after John Dempster felled Joe O'Neill. Oxford Utd: Turley, Dempster, Quinn, Gilchrist, Day, Pettefer, Hargreaves, Anaclet, Burgess, Duffy, Odubade. Subs Not Used: Tardif, Hutchinson, Basham, Kennet, Beechers. Booked: Dempster, Duffy. Goals: Day 54. Altrincham: Acton, Aspinall, Rose, Band (Scott 81), Chalmers, Lawton, Munroe, Owen, Peyton, Thornley (McFadden 56), O'Neill (Hussin 86). Subs Not Used: Potts, Lugsden. Booked: Rose. Goals: Aspinall 86 pen. Att: 5,938. Ref: A Hendley (West Midlands).

Cambridge Utd v Oxford Utd
On-loan left-back James Meredith could make his Cambridge debut on Friday. Defender Andy Duncan could be on the bench after recovering from a thigh injury but Mark Peters (foot) and Tommy Jaszczun (hamstring) are still out. Oxford will be without leading scorer Rob Duffy, who is suspended, so Steve Basham will step in. Defender Rufus Brevett has recovered from a knock while hamstring-victim Gavin Johnson could feature after appearing for the reserves in midweek.

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