Simon Eastwood ruled out as pointless Oxford host Burton

Oxford goalkeeper Simon Eastwood remains sidelined with a dislocated finger for the visit of Burton.

The 29-year-old needed surgery after the injury against Fleetwood this month and is expected to return towards the end of September.

Ricky Holmes could return after a back problem forced him to miss the midweek 3-2 defeat to Accrington – which leaves the U’s without a point from their first four games.

Rob Hall has undergone a scan on his injured knee but is not expected to be available to Karl Robinson for a number of weeks.

Burton will still be without Joe Sbarra and Damien McCrory for their trip to the Kassam Stadium.

The pair are making progress and Sbarra’s ankle problem is not as bad as first feared but McCrory will not be rushed after a hamstring injury.

New signing David Templeton remains a minor concern after receiving what boss Nigel Clough described as a couple of knocks against Bradford.

Will Miller and Jamie Allen returned to the bench for the 1-0 defeat at the Bantams but are not fully fit.