Oxford United vs Newcastle United preview: FA Cup fourth-round replay
Monday 3 February 2020 16:51, UK
Team news and stats for Tuesday's FA Cup fourth-round replay between Oxford Utd and Newcastle.
Team news
Oxford United boss Karl Robinson has had several players return to his ranks after injury ahead of Newcastle's visit in the fourth-round replay.
Cameron Brannagan and James Henry both started in the 2-1 win over Blackpool, while George Thorne and Liam Kelly made cameo appearances.
Anthony Forde has returned to training after suffering broken ribs in December but while he could be in contention for Saturday's match against Peterborough, this tie will come too soon.
Ben Woodburn and Malachi Napa are still sidelined, while Robinson bid farewell to Tariqe Fosu and Shandon Baptiste on Deadline Day, with both players joining Brentford.
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has admitted injuries will dictate his team selection at the Kassam Stadium.
Bruce has vowed to field a strong side as he seeks to book a fifth-round date at West Brom but with Andy Carroll, Dwight Gale and Yoshinori Muto all injured, Joelinton is currently Newcastle's only senior striker, and he has managed just two goals since his arrival from Hoffenheim.
"I'm not going to try to make excuses, but we have been badly hindered with injuries," Bruce said. "It would have been lovely with the amount of games we have played to rotate a little bit, freshen up a little bit, whatever you can do.
"It hasn't been possible to do that especially in the forward area, to give people a break when they need it, so in that respect, it's been difficult.
Sean and Matty Longstaff could start but new signings Danny Rose and Valentino Lazaro are ineligible.
Opta stats
- Oxford have won their last three home matches against Newcastle in all competitions, most recently a 3-0 win in the FA Cup fourth round in January 2017.
- Newcastle are looking for their first away win against Oxford since December 1987, when they won 3-1 in a top-flight match with goals from Mirandinha, Michael O'Neill and Neil McDonald.
- Oxford won their most recent home FA Cup match against Premier League opponents, winning 3-2 against Swansea City in January 2016.
- Newcastle United have won just one of their last 17 away FA Cup games (W1 D6 L10), winning 4-2 in a third round replay against Blackburn last season.
- Newcastle have won their last four FA Cup replays, scoring 14 goals across those four victories.
