Oxford v Macclesfield preview

Team news for Saturday's League Two clash between Oxford and Macclesfield at the Kassam Stadium.

Oxford's late challenge for a play-off place continues despite a host of injury problems ahead of the match. The U's find themselves in seventh place in League Two following an unbeaten run of five games, but Chris Wilder continues to miss several of his key players. Winger Alfie Potter (broken ankle) is out for the season, with strikers Tom Craddock (knee), Jon-Paul Pittman (hamstring) and defender Tony Capaldi (knee and back) all on the treatment table. Midfielder Simon Heslop, though, is close to a return following a heel injury, with full-back Andy Whing likely to play through the pain barrier once again having broken his nose against Bristol Rovers. On-loan forward Mehdi Kerrouche remains an option after missing out in the 2-1 victory over Barnet, but with Scott Rendell and James Constable forging a promising strike partnership, he may have to remain patient. Meanwhile, George Donnelly and Ben Tomlinson are set to continue in attack for Macclesfield against Oxford following their successful returns from injury in midweek. The Silkmen went down to their eighth consecutive defeat at Northampton, but Donnelly and Tomlinson marked comebacks to the starting XI following respective calf and thigh injuries with a goal apiece in the 3-2 reverse. However, manager Gary Simpson hardly saw his injury problems ease at Sixfields as goalkeeper Jose Veiga (thigh) and defender Tony Diagne (hamstring) picked up strains that are expected to keep them out this weekend. Midfielders Dwayne Mattis and Tom Fisher are ankle injury victims along with defender Paul Morgan, while Morgan's fellow centre-back Nat Brown is targeting Tuesday's home encounter with Plymouth as he recovers from the effects of a back spasm. Long-term absentees Ross Draper (broken metatarsal) and Lewis Chalmers (hernia) are set to spend time at the National Sport Centre at Lilleshall as they attempt to progress in their recoveries.