Brannagan fit as Oxford host Lincoln

Posted Tuesday, December 24, 2019 by PA

Oxford midfielder Cameron Brannagan has been declared fit for the visit of Lincoln.

Brannagan came off during the closing stages of the 1-0 win over Sky Bet League One leaders Wycombe on Saturday, a result which took the U’s into the play-off places.

Alex Gorrin was withdrawn at half-time, but boss Karl Robinson explained that was because he had been booked and did not want to run the risk of the midfielder being sent off.

Top scorer James Henry proved his fitness after a thigh problem with a 90-minute show and the winner against Wycombe, his 11th goal of the season.

Lincoln lost 6-0 at home to Oxford in September when new manager Michael Appleton watched from the stands the day after his appointment.

Former Oxford boss Appleton says his players will be motivated by that defeat and he has no new injury concerns for the trip south.

Jason Shackell, Bruno Andrade and Lee Frecklington remain out, but Michael O’Connor returned after knee and hamstring issues against Coventry last weekend and played for an hour.

O’Connor did suffer a bang to the head before coming off in the 1-0 defeat, but the veteran Northern Ireland midfielder has been cleared to feature at Oxford.