Swindon boss John Sheridan forced into more defensive changes for Oxford derby

Posted Monday, March 08, 2021 by PA

Swindon boss John Sheridan will have to reshuffle his defence yet again for the A420 derby clash with Oxford.

Jonathan Grounds formed a defensive trio with Tom Broadbent and Dion Conroy against Accrington but was forced off by a thigh injury and is unavailable to face the U’s.

With Conor Masterson and Mathieu Baudry on the long-term injured list, Akin Odimayo is likely to move across from right back with Paul Caddis or Rob Hunt coming in at full-back.

Left-back Dominic Thompson and midfielder Matt Palmer were rested against Accrington and will come back into contention, with forwards Tyler Smith and Joel Grant getting closer to a return. Midfielder Anthony Grant is a doubt with concussion.

Oxford remain without five first-team players for the match.

Elliot Lee could return at the weekend after suffering a knee injury in last week’s 0-0 draw with Peterborough but Tuesday’s match will come too soon.

Sam Long’s hamstring injury is not as bad as feared but the right-back will not return before the end of the month, with a similar timetable for Sam Winnall who is dealing with an ankle problem.

James Henry also remains sidelined with a hamstring problem.