Mansfield Town vs Oxford United preview - Stags sweat on duo

Posted Friday, August 15, 2014 by PA

Mansfield manager Paul Cox is sweating over the fitness of Martin Riley and Liam Hearn ahead of Saturday's Sky Bet League Two clash with Oxford.

The Stags boss revealed that both players are set to have scans after sustaining knocks during the 2-1 defeat to Sheffield United in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday.

Cox is hopeful that Hearn, who sustained a knee injury, may be available for their second League Two game of the season, but he suspects Riley may need to take time out to heal a groin problem.

Liam Marsden and captain/assistant manager Adam Murray are in line to start, while there are still question marks over Ollie Palmer's fitness.

Oxford boss Michael Appleton has a selection headache up front for the trip.

Forward Danny Hylton came off the bench to claim the winner and stake his claim for a starting place as the U's pulled off a Capital One Cup upset at Bristol City on Tuesday night and United then loaned in Watford striker Alex Jakubiak on Wednesday to boost their attacking options.

And with Junior Brown and Carlton Morris having started against the Robins, Appleton has plenty to ponder.

The former Blackburn boss will recall George Long in goal after the Sheffield United loanee was ineligible to face City, while defender Michael Raynes will be assessed having missed out in midweek after taking a knock to his head on the opening day.