We play Oxford next in a game that was originally supposed to be played back in November but found itself called off due to the unlikely reason of a waterlogged pitch.  Lack of a real groundsman more like.

Then we were in the middle of a decent run of form but since then it's been a bit hit 'n miss.  Last Saturday's game against Bury saw us get a long awaited win but this one should be a bit tougher.  Oxford are having a good run of form with the icing on the cake being the home win against Rushden at the weekend.

They've toughened up their defence recently with the signing of Christian Edwards on a months loan from Forest.  This will make up for the sad loss of Abdou Sall from within their ranks.

Abdou is now spending a couple of days at Rushden but only if they can afford his lifestyle.

Oxfords manager, Ian Atkins, will probably name an unchanged side after Saturday's 3-0 victory but there may be a start for Lee Steele who is returning after a hamstring injury.  Bobby Ford missed the game with a virus and is likely to be out again, while Dave Waterman is back in contention after a back injury.


We might be welcoming back Drewe Broughton now that his 4 match ban is finished but after I gave Andy Bishop a kick up the backside in my Bury preview he may find it hard to get back in.  I expect him to start on the bench.

The only one from Saturday to pick up a injury was Adie Smith who had a twinge from his hamstring but should play in preference to Lee Ayres.  Bo Henriksen has got over his bout of flu so he'll be fit.

That just leaves JJ Melligan who still has his ankle problem to worry about and is unlikely to be fit.

Teams

Harriers from:
Brock, Danby, Joy, Ayres, Smith, Hinton, Williams, Parrish, Sall, Bennett, Shilton, Doyle, Foster, Broughton, Henriksen, Lower, Coleman, Bishop.

Oxford from:
Woodman, McNiven, Powell, Savage, Crosby, Waterman, Hackett, Hunt, Steele, Scott, Robinson, Whitehead, Ricketts, Omoyinmi, McCaldon, Louis, Bound, King, Brooks, Ford, Oldfield, Basham, Cox, Hunter, Edwards.