Oxford facing injury issues ahead of weekend clash with Black Cats

Oxford United are sweating on the fitness of left-back Josh Ruffels ahead of their weekend clash with Sunderland.

The 26-year-old landed awkwardly on his left shoulder during the U’s 2-0 defeat at Lincoln City, and manager Karl Robinson is awaiting a full diagnosis.

But given Ruffels is the club’s only senior left-back, R ob i n s o n a d m i t s t h at h e may be forced to move into the transfer market should the verdict not be a positive one.

"It certainly does if it’s not good," said Robinson, when asked if an injury could fasttrack the U’s plans to bring in defensive reinforcements.

"It’s across the top of his shoulder and we’ll have to wait and see how bad that is."

Oxford will also be without former Sunderland midfielder Alex Gorrin, who faces a number of weeks on the sidelines due to an ankle injury.

Robinson could welcome back defender Rob Atkinson for the visit of the Black Cats, though, despite the centre back being sent-off against th e I m p s . R obi n s o n c o nfirmed he planned to appeal the red card.

M e a nwh i l e, C h a rl t o n Athletic boss Lee Bowyer is hoping to add some ‘quality’ to his side once a takeover by Danish businessman Thomas Sandgaard is completed.

The South London Press claim that the Addicks hope they will be under new ownership by Wednesday – giving Bowyer licence to add to his squad.

“I need to strengthen the squad and everyone can recognise that,” said Bowyer.

“The most important thing for me is to start building things behind the scenes so we can have a push.

“We ’ v e m i s s e d o u t o n s o m e p l aye r s but th e re i s s t i l l qu a l i ty out th e re a n d there will be quality at the end.

“It might be like we had to do the last couple of years – we have to be a bit patient.

"But some teams, th eir squads are too big and some good players will come up at the end and they’ll already have a 23-man squad."

One player not on the Addicks’ radar at the moment is Marcus Maddison – who remains a free agent after leaving Peterborough United.

He was linked with a move to the Valley, but reports have claimed he is not a target for Bowyer.

Maddison has frequently been linked with Sund e rl a n d i n pa s t tra n s fe r windows.