Mark Gelder
Last Saturday United lost 2-1 away at Bradford City, with Damian Batt sent off for a second yellow card. After a week's rest, today sees Rotherham United visit the Kassam Stadium, in what is a six-pointer for Rotherham and the play-offs. If Rotherham lose, the Yellows will be eight points clear with a game in hand, but if the Millers win, the gap is down to two points.

Oxford played Rotherham in the first game of the season, in what will probably be our last ever visit to the Don Valley Athletics Stadium. Rotherham's New York Stadium in the town centre ground is nearing completion, with a scheduled July opening. It is a bowl design on one tier all round, with capacity for 12,000. In the game itself, Lewis Grabban scored the only goal to see United beaten 1-0, and Adam Le Fondre starting his last month at Rotherham, in which he scored four goals. He joined Championship club Reading, adding another seven goals in the league so far this season.

There are plenty of connections with Rotherham:- manager Chris Wilder spent 3 1/2 seasons there, making 129 appearances in the league, with 11 goals. The Rotherham manager is Andy Scott (77 league appearances and 24 goals from 2001 to 2004), with Darren Patterson is his assisant (Patto made 20 appearances for United, before being appointed youth team manager, and finally manager).

United news
James Constable sits out his final game of his three match suspension, and Damien Batt is suspended too. Tommy Craddock, Alfie Potter are still injured. JPP is presumably still out, and although Tony Capaldi are played 45 mintues midweek, it is presumably too early for a full return. In defence we can perhaps expect Duberry, Wright, Davis and either Tonkin or Whing. At the fans forum it was announced that with Whing's move forward into midfield has sidelined the ageing Paul MacLaren. MacLaren has been allowed to train up North to be closer to his family, travelling down to join the squad on Thursdays, but it seems he will be kept on for reserve games and to cover injuries for the rest of the season.

Lee Holmes loan spell was over, evidenced by his applause to the fans at the end of the Bradford game. Despite saying he would only take a move to a Championship / top League One club, money talks and he has instead gone to PDC's team down the road. Instead, United have now picked up Cristian Montano, a West Ham youth team player, until the end of the season. Rob Hall (now at MK Dons on loan) recommended the move, and Montano has had spells at Swindon and Notts County already this season. Up front, we can expect Scott Rendell and Dean Morgan again.

Millers news
Shaun Harrad's loan spell has expired and he returns to Bury. 19 year old forward Sam Hoskins has joined on emergency loan from Southampton, but has yet to make any league appearances, despite a month at Preston earlier in the season. Top scorer is Lewis Grabban with 17, and most shots with 82. [@opponent]Rotherham United[/@opponent][@connection]Rotherham United[/@connection]