Oxford United vs Exeter City - Oxford hopeful left-back Joe Skarz wins fitness fight

Oxford head coach Michael Appleton is hopeful Joe Skarz will be fit to play some part in the Boxing Day clash with Exeter.

The ever-present left-back was forced off during the weekend loss at Wycombe with a groin injury but fears of a lengthy lay-off have been allayed.

Appleton said: "Joe is 50/50, if I'm being honest. It's more tightness than a tear or a pull from what we're being told."

Jordan Evans is likely to play should Skarz miss out, while Ryan Taylor is also pushing for a starting place after making his comeback as a late substitute at the weekend.

Tom McCready, Manny Oyeleke and Jamie McAllister are options for Exeter manager Paul Tisdale if he decides to ring the changes following the late defeat by Luton.

McCready, Oyeleke and McAllister returned from injury as unused substitutes on Saturday and will be hoping to get the nod to start the festive fixture.

Danny Butterfield is close to making his comeback after a month out with a knee issue, while Christian Ribeiro (knee) and David Noble (hamstring) are also nearing their returns from injury.

Tisdale's men head into the busy period six points adrift of the play-offs with a game in hand.