Oxford United bowed out of the Carabao Cup this week but they also picked up a first away win of the new League One campaign.
However, the week has taken its toll with several first-team players out injured. Here is our weekly round-up.
Oxford United Weekly Round-Up: Injury News, Cup Exit and League Win
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Eight First-Team Players Out Injured
Oxford’s injury woes continued ahead of their Carabao Cup clash against Crystal Palace, with eight first-team players ruled out.
On top of summer signings Yanic Wildschut, Sam Baldock and Josh Murphy, Marcus Browne picked up a knee injury in the defeat against Lincoln City while Marcus McGuane suffered calf damage against Morecambe – a match in which skipper Elliott Moore also missed.
Now, James Henry and Alex Rodriguez Gorrin were dealt hamstring blows ahead of their cup tie against the Eagles.
Speaking to the club’s official website, U’s boss Karl Robinson said: “Obviously we knew that Yanic, Sam and Josh would be out for a while, but I can’t remember ever having five players all waiting on scans in the same week.
“With Marcus Browne, we are hoping the injury isn’t as bad as we first feared but he will have another scan at the back end of the week.
“Marcus McGuane limped off on Saturday with a calf injury and we’ll get him scanned tomorrow once things settle down, but we won’t take any risks and he’ll definitely miss Tuesday’s game.
“Elliott Moore needs a scan on a quad injury and then Alex Gorrin and James Henry will also need scans on their hamstrings.
“It’s quite a list and it is certainly going to test us, but we just get on with things. We have players who will step up, we will have a big crowd giving us their support and the one thing we do know is that whoever plays on Tuesday night is going to give their all.”
Oxford United Out of the Cup
Following on from their injury news, the U’s then bowed out of the cup with defeat at home against Crystal Palace.
A much-changed and depleted U’s side held their Premier League opponents until the break but Patrick Vieira’s side netted twice late on to reach the third round.
First Away Win of the Season
Following their cup exit, Robinson’s side picked up a first away win of the season with a 2-1 victory at Cheltenham Town.
The U’s fell behind in the second half but Cameron Brannagan levelled with a superb free kick. Billy Bodin was dismissed for the visitors after picking up a second yellow card but a late penalty, converted by Brannagan, sealed an important win.
Oxford were boosted by the return of McGuane and Henry, who were ruled out of their Carabao Cup tie against Palace.
