Oxford United will need all of their new-found Conference experience when they visit Christie Park to take on Morecambe tomorrow. Morecambe are likely to be one of United’s main promotion challengers as the season unfolds, and Jim Smith will need all of his undoubted wisdom in order to maintain his side’s unbeaten record. The Shrimps only lost twice at home last season, and finished fifth in the Conference, losing in the play-offs to eventually promoted Hereford United.

Smith will have to make changes to the side that beat St Albans 2-1 last Friday. Leading scorer Rob Duffy has a slight abdominal strain and won’t be fit to play, while left wingback Gavin Johnson will be out for about a month with a hamstring injury. Steve Basham has recovered from his hamstring problem and will step in for Duffy, while Johnson’s replacement will be new signing Rufus Brevett. Brevett joined United today on a month-by-month contract (at least until the club is able to clarify certain salary-cap issues), the 37 year old having been released from his contract by Plymouth Argyle at the end of last season, following a very brief loan spell at Leicester City. Prior to that Brevett spent a couple of seasons at West Ham, but is more known for the five seasons he spent at Fulham, and the seven years he had at QPR, who signed him from Doncaster. Chris Hargreaves will also miss this game, and the following two matches, following his sending off for a two-footed lunge against St Albans. Eddie Hutchinson is Hargreaves’s likely replacement.

Morecambe are managed by former Macclesfield boss Sammy McIlroy, and feature former Manchester United reserve striker Michael Twiss, who is their main danger man. They had Scott McNiven on their books as a non-contract player earlier this season, but the tubby right back failed to impress. The Shrimps lost their first game of the season, 1-0 at home to Burton, but last Saturday they did United a huge favour by beating Weymouth 2-0. In the spirit of optimism that this season has so far engendered, Rage Online predicts a nice 1-1 draw (fingers crossed).