Oxford hoping for injury boost for Cats clash

Oxford United are hoping that loanee Marcus Browne can make his return from injury against Sunderland.

The West Ham forward made a sparkling start to the season at the Kassam Stadium, scoring seven goals.

His progress has been checked since then but manager Karl Robinson hopes his return can be a big boost for his side.

“If it’s the Marcus Browne from the beginning of the season it is,” he said.

“He’s got a lot to do to get back into the team, so now he’s got a different challenge he’s not had since he’s been at Oxford United.

“The message to Jordan [Graham] and Gavin [Whyte] is don’t let him take your shirt. There’s a competitive edge there.

“I wish we had had this competition for places at the beginning of the season, my job would have been an awful lot easier.”

The Oxford boss is expecting an ‘intense atmosphere’, with over 10,000 fans expected.

He says recent form means his side are confident of causing an upset.

“The fans will create a very intense atmosphere” he said.

“We just want everyone to stick together. We are a unified group who will go in to the game at 3 o’clock together, and help each other all game.

“We are still changing as a football club and if there was a documentary crew filming behind the scenes here this season they would have a remarkable story.

“It has brought us all very close and if everyone stays that way then we know we can get a very important win.”