The first match of 2005 sees Wycombe Wanderers travel 25 miles to the KasStad. United will be hoping to put Tuesday’s defeat by Kidderminster well and truly behind them, and to this end Ramon Diaz and Horacio Rodrigues will undoubtedly make several changes to the losing line-up. Tommy Mooney is back from suspension and will almost certainly come straight back into the side, probably alongside Craig Davies up front, with skipper Lee Bradbury dropping back into midfield.

Jon Ashton and Steve Basham are both recovered from injury and Ashton is likely to replace one of David Woozley or Leo Roget at the back. Bash could come in for Jamie Brooks, or may have to settle for a place on the bench. Former QPR and Farnborough winger Doudou Ebeu Mbombo, from the DR Congo, who is currently on trial at Oxford, has been given clearance to play, and so he could feature as he attempts to become Diaz’s first signing.

Wycombe could have Steve Guppy back on the wing after he missed their two previous matches, both defeats, after a bout of ‘flu. The teams drew 1-1 at the Causeway Stadium back in September, after which United were 4th in the table (hard to believe now), but both sides have since recruited new managers, with Wycombe now under former swindon reject John Gorman. This in itself should be an incentive, as should the desire to consign the Kidderminster game to the dustbin of memory. However, we can’t see beyond a 1-1 draw, at best, to start the new year with.

Before the game tomorrow a collection will be held on behalf of Oxfam’s appeal for aid for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Asia and Africa. United approached Oxfam to organise the collection – please give generously. There will also be a minute’s silence before the match.