Rochdale vs Oxford preview
Monday 11 March 2019 15:57, UK
Rochdale midfielder Ethan Hamilton is available again after suspension for the Sky Bet League One clash with Oxford on Tuesday evening.
Hamilton was given his marching orders late on in the defeat at table-topping Luton earlier this month, sidelining the on-loan Manchester United player for Dale's 2-1 win over Shrewsbury last weekend.
Victory over the Shrews saw defender Kgosi Ntlhe and midfielder Oliver Rathbone return to the starting line-up after long injury lay-offs and the pair will be in contention again. Goalkeeper Josh Lillis (calf) will miss out while on-loan Nottingham Forest forward Zach Clough (groin) is a doubt.
Oxford are hoping captain John Mousinho will recover from a calf complaint. The 32-year-old was withdrawn at the interval in the 1-0 defeat at Gillingham on Saturday due to tightness in the muscle but the U's are optimistic he will retain his starting place.
Midfielder Ahmed Kashi and forward pair Gavin Whyte and Jamie Mackie came off the bench at the Gills as they look to return to match fitness following injury and the trio are now pushing for starts. Rob Hall, Jon Obika, Malachi Napa and Shandon Baptiste are long-term absentees.
Opta stats
Rochdale have not won against Oxford in any of their last five league meetings (D1 L4), failing to find the net in three of those games.
There has been nine goals in the last four league games between the sides at Spotland, with Rochdale failing to score in two and Oxford three of those matches.
Rochdale are winless in their last nine league games played on a Tuesday (D3 L6) since a 2-0 win at Bury in April 2018.
Ian Henderson has been directly involved in 15 goals in his last 21 home league starts on a Tuesday for Rochdale, scoring 12 and assisting three.
Oxford United boss Karl Robinson has never lost in League One to Rochdale as a manager in 11 previous meetings (W8 D3).
