Spring is in the air, it's beautiful and sunny in Oxfordshire, and as the days get longer tonight's game against Hayes & Yeading United could even kick off with the last faint glow of the setting sun lighting the sky over the sewage works. This evening the Us welcome Hayes to Grenoble Road for the third time, but only the first time in a league fixture. Last season United beat the west Londoners 2-0 in the FA Cup, and this season Oxford won 1-0 in the FA Trophy.

There is mixed news for Oxford on the team selection front. Left back Anthony Tonkin is suspended after being sent off at Cambridge United last Tuesday, and his normal replacement Kevin Sandwith cracked a rib in United's win over Oxford City in Wednesday's Senior Cup semi-final. However, Oxford have two other experienced left backs in their squad, with both Jake Wright and Simon Clist having played their for previous clubs. The most likely option is for Clist to drop into that position, with new signing Lewis Chalmers making his debut in midfield, as this would prevent Chris Wilder from having to break up his settled central defensive partnership. However, if Wright moves over then Mark Creighton will be chomping at the bit to partner Rhys Day at the back. There was further good news for Oxford, with both Alfie Potter and Adam Murray training this week, although for both players tonight's game is probably a day or more too early. Similarly, leading scorer James Constable has trained again after missing out last week, but with the games starting to come thick and fast Wilder might decide that it's not worth risking him until he's fully recovered. Certainly with John Grant, Matt Green, and Jack Midson there is no shortage of decent strikers ready to step in.

Hayes will be boosted by the return of ex-U Steve Basham to their squad, after Bash was forced to miss out their 3-2 home defeat by Luton Town on Saturday due to a clause in his loan deal. However, another former United striker, Scott Fitzgerald, will miss out through injury. Hayes are currently 14th in the Conference (as, coincidentally, are Yeading) now that Chester's expulsion has finally been ratified, but one has to go back to 24 November to find their last away win, at Kettering Town.

Other important matches taking place tonight include Stevenage Borough at home to Barrow, Kettering at home to Cambridge, Luton at home to Forest Green Rovers, and York City at home to Salisbury City. [@opponent]Hayes & Yeading United[/@opponent] [@connection]Hayes & Yeading United[/@connection]