Oxford without Alex Gorrin for Sunderland showdown

Posted Thursday, February 13, 2020 by PA

Midfielder Alex Gorrin will miss Oxford’s League One clash with in-form Sunderland through suspension.

Gorrin, who spent five years at the Stadium of Light without making a first-team appearance, picked up his 10th booking of the campaign in Tuesday night’s 2-2 draw at Burton and will sit out on Saturday as he starts a two-match ban.

Potential replacement Jamie Hanson is unlikely to make the game after having to take medical advice over an infection, while Liam Kelly is also unavailable to head coach Karl Robinson, although his hamstring injury is not as serious as was first feared and he could return next week.

Striker Jamie Mackie is expected to be missing once again following his withdrawal from the squad in midweek following a family bereavement.

Sunderland boss Phil Parkinson will make a late check on midfielder Chris Maguire before finalising his team.

Maguire limped off late in Tuesday night’s 3-0 win over Rochdale with a dead leg having played a part in all three goals and, while his condition had improved significantly by Wednesday morning, he will continue to be assessed.

Defender Joel Lynch will be absent for a third successive game because of a rib injury he picked up during the 2-0 defeat a Portsmouth on February 1, although he is expected to return to training next week.

Parkinson otherwise has no fresh selection problems as targets a third win in eight days to maintain the Black Cats’ promotion charge.