Roy Hunter will make his Oxford United debut in tonight's LDV Vans Trophy first-round tie against Bournemouth at The Kassam Stadium - and striker Steve Basham is set to return after his lengthy hamstring injury.

Roy HunterFormer Northampton midfielder Hunter, who signed for the club last Friday, has been training at Oxford for the past six weeks and has played in a couple of reserve matches.

He will effectively take the place of Bobby Ford, who is having tests to determine whether his groin injury may be a hernia. If it is, he is likely to have an operation at the earliest opportunity.

"This will be a good opportunity for Roy," said boss Ian Atkins. "He's experienced, he can play in a variety of roles, and can play in different positions.

"He can sit in as the holding midfielder, or he can bomb on. He knows what I want and the players have taken to him and he's gained their respect, which is important."

It was Basham who scored United's equaliser when they drew 1-1 with Bournemouth at Dean Court in the league, and it will be a big boost to have him back.

But Atkins has warned the fans, and his teammates, not to expect too much, because the former Preston striker has not kicked a ball competitively since August.

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