Sinclair and Mackie vying for Oxford striker role

Posted Friday, February 15, 2019 by PA

Oxford manager Karl Robinson has a decision to make over whether Jerome Sinclair or Jamie Mackie gets the nod as the lone striker for the Skybet League One visit of play-off hopefuls Peterborough.

The Us boss suggested last week the pair would alternate, depending on the strengths of the opposition.

Samir Carruthers, after an impressive midweek performance for the under-23s, and Marcus Browne, who came off the bench to equalise against Sunderland last weekend, are pushing for starting places.

Fellow midfielder Mark Sykes is a doubt with a knee injury as Oxford look to end a run of three successive draws.

Peterborough defender Tyler Denton serves a one-match ban after being sent off last week.

Fellow left-back Daniel Lafferty will be assessed before the game but trained on Thursday after a hamstring injury and is expected to be fit, while attacking midfielder Lee Tomlin returns from suspension.

Winger Joe Ward is expected to travel with the squad after a scan revealed no damage to his foot, despite leaving the Doncaster defeat on crutches last weekend.

A number of other players have minor injuries or are struggling with illness.