Oxford vs Blackpool preview
Friday 14 December 2018 14:51, UK
Oxford could have defender Tony McMahon available again for the Sky Bet League One match against his former side Blackpool.
Right-back McMahon has returned to full training this week following a cracked rib, but Jamie Hanson could keep his place in the starting XI. Midfielder Ricky Holmes is fully fit again after a back injury.
Samir Carruthers and Shandon Baptiste are expected to return from their injury lay-offs early in the new year.
Blackpool are hoping Jay Spearing and Curtis Tilt will be fit. Spearing missed the victory against Charlton with an ankle knock and Tilt suffered a hip problem in that game, but both men could feature at the Kassam Stadium.
Max Clayton has started running after a long-standing hamstring injury and is set to return in the new year. Striker Mark Cullen, who hasn't featured since November 10, has suffered a fresh setback with a stress fracture in his leg which is set to rule him out for another six weeks.
Opta stats
Oxford United have won four of their last five home contests against Blackpool in all competitions, losing the other 1-0 in February 2000.
Blackpool, who lost their last league game against Oxford United 1-0 in January last season, haven't lost back-to-back games against the U's in the Football League since January 1980.
Oxford have lost just one of their last 10 league games (W4 D5), after losing eight of their first 11 this season (W1 D2).
Blackpool have won four of their last five league games, losing the other.
Oxford's James Henry has scored six goals in his last six games in all competitions.
