Mark Gelder
Last week United lost 4-1 away at second place Crawley Town, after previously losing in the league at table topping Southend United. United now face third placed Cheltenham Town at home, where United are unbeaten in the league this season. With the old unstoppable force meets immovable object paradox, Cheltenham have though won their last five away games in the league, and so something has to give.

Both fixtures last season were 1-1 draws. Last time Cheltenham came to the Kassam stadium was in January 2011. Wes Thomas put the Robins in front, before Tom Craddock levelled. Ryan Clarke saved a late penalty from Thomas to save the point. In the away fixture in September 2010, again Wesley Thomas scored, before Jack Midson's second half goal tied the game. Thomas signed a two year deal on a free transfer at Crawley in the Summer, “because he wanted to be nearer to London”, but in September was sent out on loan to AFC Bournemouth for three months.

United team news
Danny Philliskirk has returned to Sheffield United after his one month loan, and Chris Wilder has brought back Lewis Guy for his second loan spell this season, this time until the start of January. Whilst some may say Wilder overuses the loan system, basically all the loanees have been for one of two places up front – starting with Craddock's injury in pre-season. Jonathan Franks came in first, but was then ruled out for 3 months. Guy then came in (presumably to cover Franks) for a month, replaced by Andy Howarth, replaced by Danny Philliskirk, replaced again by Lewis Guy. Robert Hall came in after Jon-Paul Pittman was loaned out to Crawley, proved himself, and perhaps will be here for the full three emergency months with the half term break, barring any more recalls. So it is back to the perennial forwards problem: Constable and Smalley don't play together, Potter is injured, so which of the first two plays with Robert Hall and Guy?

On the injury list: Tony Capaldi, Michael Duberry and Adam Chapman are according to the leatest OWS interview, back 'running', Alfie Potter is 'doing a bit of straight line running' – Wilder felt he should have come off earlier in the Southend JPT game to avoid injury, and Tom Craddock and Jonathan Franks have barely got a full game between them all season. Duberry is feted with taking over the OUFC Live twitter commentary tomorrow, although this could all be part of Wilder's pre-match team rumours to spook the opposition. However, with a gap of two weeks until Morecambe, it is doubtful anyone will be rushed back for this one game.

Cheltenham news
The loan window has seen Mark Yates bring in two from Bristol City. First, 18 year old Bobby Reid, a midfielder, and second, forward Marlon Jackson, after loan spells at Hereford, Aldershot, and this season at Northampton – it seems his Destiny seems to back in the West country. Top scorer for Cheltenham is Darryl Duffy with nine in league and cup, whilst Jeff Goulding and Kaid Mohamed have five each. Cantering in behind in 4th is James Spencer with four.

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