It has been a much more positive week for Oxford United with the U’s picking up four points from their two League One matches.
As a result, Karl Robinson’s side are now unbeaten in their last five and have moved into the top half of the table.
Elsewhere this week, the U’s boss has provided an injury update following another two casualties on Wednesday night and the draw for the second round of the FA Cup has been made.
Oxford United Weekly Round-Up: Unbeaten Run, Injury Update and FA Cup News
🏆 The U's or Woking will face Exeter City at home in the Second Round of the #EmiratesFACup
🟡🔵 #OUFC | #COYY pic.twitter.com/8bMOtpQbzb
— Oxford United FC (@OUFCOfficial) November 7, 2022
FA Cup Draw: Winner of Woking and Oxford United to Welcome Exeter City
Following their FA Cup postponement against Woking, the match has been rescheduled for Wednesday, November 16 with a 7.45 kick-off.
The winner of that tie will welcome League One outfit Exeter City in the second round for a chance to progress to the third round.
The U’s have already faced Exeter this season, winning 4-2 on the road in the league.
Another Away Game Without Defeat
Oxford travelled to Shrewsbury on Wednesday night and stretched their unbeaten away run to five league games with a 1-1 draw.
The U’s took the lead through top scorer Cameron Brannagan but the Shrews levelled in the second half from a corner.
However, Brannagan picked up his fifth yellow card of the season and missed the visit of Port Vale as a result, while Kyle Joseph was taken off on a stretcher and was also absent.
Robinson Provides Injury Update
U’s boss Karl Robinson has given an injury update on his ever-growing list of sidelined players.
Djavan Anderson and Joseph were both injured in the game against Shrewsbury, although the former would make a return against Port Vale on Saturday.
Speaking to the Oxford Mail on Joseph, Robinson said: “Before we have a 100 per cent answer, we’re 80 per cent there.
“The person who is best sourced, we believe to read the scan, is out of office until Monday.
“We’ve had someone else that has read it, we’ve had a little bit of news from that person but we want a second opinion before we become official.
“In my world, it’s not great anyway, we’re just waiting for clarification on what we think it is.”
On the absence of Josh Murphy, he added: “There’s one or two little complications that lie within every player for different reasons.
“I can’t come out here chapter and verse, I have to sometimes keep one or two things internal.
“We’ve just got to make sure the balance is right, we know he’s back on the grass on Monday.
“We’re in a better place than when he came back on the grass last time, and that’s important.”
On the other sidelined players, Robinson said: “Most of them are training this week, Yanic Wildschut’s on the grass now, he’s so close to being there.
“Sam Long was on the grass today, Oisin (Smyth) was back training today and he’s on the grass.”
Sam Baldock seemingly remains a long-term absence, with Robinson saying: “I don’t want to put a time on that one, I’ve put enough time on things with him.”
Second half coming up
More of the same please 🙏
🟡🔵 #OUFC | #COYY pic.twitter.com/KTVD1H7q8a
— Oxford United FC (@OUFCOfficial) November 12, 2022
Important Win Over Port Vale
Oxford picked up their first home win in seven with a 4-0 victory over Port Vale in League One.
Billy Bodin and Matty Taylor both netted a brace, with the latter scoring his first league goals of the season.
The other boost will be keeping a clean sheet, with Robinson’s side keeping a first shutout in 15 games.
