Morecambe [@opponent]Morecambe[/@opponent]are the latest visitors to Oxford, as United desperately try to get their promotion challenge back on track. The Yellows haven't won since they beat Tamworth 2-1 at Grenoble Road on 25 November, and will be desperate for all three points following two disappointing home draws against Woking and Crawley over the holiday period, and then a dismal 2-1 defeat at Exeter on New Year's Day. However, United's injury crisis shows signs of being alleviated, and the team will be hoping to record its first double of the season, having beaten the Shrimpers 3-0 at Christie Park on 9 September.[@news]558[/@news]

Jim Smith will be buoyed by the signing of Manchester United youngster Danny Rose on a month's loan, and the 18 year old is likely to go straight into the Us' midfield, possibly to allow Carl Pettefer a much-needed rest. Eddie Hutchinson is still out injured. In defence, Barry Quinn is likely to be fit to play, although Chris Willmott is still a couple of weeks away from a return. There are doubts over Phil Gilchrist's fitness, while Rufus Brevett also received a knock at St James Park. Gavin Johnson will probably deputise for Brevett, and while either John Dempster or rookie Andrew Gunn could cover for Gilly, it could be that new loan signing Georges Santos, from Brighton, might fill the gap. Santos is 36, and is therefore only a short-term measure, but the Frenchman has plenty of experience, having played for Sheffield United, West Brom, Ipswich, and QPR, among others. Up front Steve Basham is definitely out, with news that he has damaged muscles around his knee and he could miss between four and six weeks of action. Marvin Robinson has resumed full training, but lack of match fitness means that he is likely to be on the bench. Rob Duffy should have recovered enough to be fit to play, although there is a doubt over Yemi Odubade, who also missed the Exeter match. Andy Burgess could play up front alongside Duffy, although that would mean Pettefer having to continue in midfield, alongside Rose and Chris Hargreaves. That is providing there are no further new signings today, of course.

Morecambe are currently challenging strongly for the play-offs, lying in 7th place, just two points behind fifth-placed Burton Albion. However, they lost 3-1 at home to York on 1 January, and are suffering a mini injury crisis of their own. Against York they were missing five first team players, including influential midfielder Gary Thompson. They have just allowed goalkeeper Ryan Robinson, who has played against United twice already this season, for Morecambe and while on loan at Southport, to leave for Forest Green Rovers. However, they have signed forward Jason Walker, who previously played for Morton and who has been training with Morecambe. They will certainly be up for this game in order to keep up their challenge, and with results going against United recently, Rage Online feels that this game could spell the end of United's unbeaten home record, with a 1-0 win for the visitors. Obviously, we hope this won't be the case, but with previous predictions going horribly wrong, what can we do?

Conference leaders Dagenham & Redbridge are at home to Woking, and so Oxford will be hoping that they can stifle the east Londoners in the same way that they did Oxford. Gravesend, who are third on goal difference, have a home game against Halifax, while 4th-placed York welcome Crawley. Burton, who are fifth, but level on points with Gravesend, have a difficult trip to 6th-placed Weymouth. At the bottom of the table, two clubs who have both recently lost their managers come face to face, with Southport (who have just sacked Paul Cook, former Sex Pistols guitarist) at home to Grays (who have just parted company with the illegitimate Andy King). Second from bottom Tamworth will be getting thrashed at home to Norwich in the FA Cup, while third-bottom Rushden & Diamonds have a trip to Altrincham. A measure of Rushden's desperation is that they have just signed former United winger, and Rage Online sponsee, Jamie Cook[@player]Cook, Jamie[/@player] from Witney United, on a non-contract basis, and he goes straight into their squad for tomorrow's game.