‘U’s trip a good chance for us but we’ll ignore injuries’
Phil Parkinson says he is taking Oxford United’s injury crisis with a pinch of salt – while his opposite number has been dealt a blow in the transfer market.
The U’s could be without a number of senior players this weekend, with Josh Ruffels, Jamie Hanson, Alex Gorrin, Sam Winnall and John Mousinho all set to miss out.
Matty Taylor and Mark Sykes could also be absent, but will be monitored in the build-up to Saturday’s meeting at the Kassam Stadium.
And while the absence of a number of key men could hand the Black Cats an advantage, Parkinson says he won’ t be getting carried away with the claims coming from Oxfordshire – after similar circumstances last season.
"Without a doubt, it’s a good chance for us ,” said the Sunderland boss.
"But the last time we went there they spoke about how many injuries they had and we turned up and there weren’t quite as many.
"We don’ t want to get lulled into that too much.
"I believe if we play how we can play, and how we have done really–but improve in that final third –then we’ ll have a great chance.”
Meanwhile, Oxford boss Karl Robinson says he is unlikely to add to his squad before the weekend.
The U’s were hopeful of adding a left-back to their ranks following the injury to Ruffels, who is the club’s only senior option in that department.
But while refusing to entirely rule out an incoming before the visit of Sunderland, Robinson was of the opinion it would be unlikely.
"You don’t know what’s going to come up this afternoon or tomorrow,” he told the Oxford Mail, yesterday.
"I’m not going to say 100 percent it’ s a no but we don’t think it’s going to happen right now."
Elsewhere, Hull City have seen their attempts to hold a fan pilot fixture this weekend blocked.
The Tigers had received permission from the EFL to welcome up to 600 fans for their game with Crewe Alex and ra, but have now confirmed local authorities have not signed-off on the plans. A club statement said: “Unfortunately, due to the rising infection rate in Hull, we have been unable to receive approval from Hull City Council Public Health.”