Oxford face Barrow this evening in the FA Cup second round replay, with the prize being a lucrative visit to Sunderland and the possibility of drawing a big club in the fourth round. The sides drew 1-1 at the United Stadium ten days ago, with a controversial penalty for Barrow enabling them to equalise Jamie Cook's tenth-minute opener. Luke Foster was sent off in the penalty incident.

Foster, who scored United's goal in the 1-1 Conference draw at Holker Street, has now served his one-game ban and could return to the side after his replacement, Ross Perry, was injured in Saturday's win over Ebbsfleet United. Perry has recovered, though, and may well retain his place. Also in the Oxford squad are Damian Batt, who came on as a substitute on Saturday to counter Ishmael Welsh's pace, but was himself replaced after Welsh went off, and Matt Green, who hasn't featured since hobbling off in United's last defeat, at Kidderminster Harriers over three weeks ago. Neither Franny Green nor Onome Sodje are eligible to play.

Barrow claim that their talismanic striker Jason Walker is injured and won't play, but whether or not that's truth or bluster won't be revealed until the team sheets are handed in shortly before kick-off. The referee tonight is Karl Evans, who was in charge of Oxford City's game at Burton Albion but who, as far as we know, has not before had the privilege of officiating the city's premier club. While Barrow have never won in Oxford, it should perhaps also be borne in mind that Oxford have yet to win in Barrow, in fairness. However, as Chris Wilder is fully aware, that's history and has no bearing on what happens today.[@opponent]barrow[/@opponent][@connection]barrow[/@connection]