Alex Mowatt to miss Karl Robinson’s home Oxford debut

Posted Thursday, March 29, 2018 by PA

Karl Robinson takes charge of his first home game as Oxford boss when they welcome League One promotion hopefuls Scunthorpe on Friday.

The former MK Dons boss saw his new side lose 3-0 at Portsmouth last time out and he will be without Alex Mowatt at the Kassam Stadium following his red card in the defeat.

Joe Rothwell is available following a hamstring injury and the midfielder could come straight back into the side.

Striker Jon Obika has been struggling with a hip problem but Robinson is also hopeful that he can play a part.

Scunthorpe sit fifth in the table but are on a dismal run and without a win in eight, which led to Graham Alexander losing his job.

His replacement, interim boss Nick Daws, will be looking to get a promotion bid back on track with a first win since February 3.

Daws could be boosted by the return of Marnick Vermijl, the Preston loanee having been missing with a hamstring problem.

Jordan Clarke came off the bench at half-time in last week’s 1-1 draw with Rochdale and is pushing for a first start since his own hamstring injury sidelined him in November, while Lee Novak (heel) is training once more.