Oxford United could put out one of their most inexperienced sides of the season as they say good-bye to the second division in their final game at Notts County tomorrow.

Caretaker manager Mike Ford, who is already forced to play youth team goalkeeper Phil Wilson between the sticks - because player-of-the-year Richard Knight is suspended - will be without Manny Omoyinmi and Paul Tait because of hamstring injuries.

But, unlike his predecessor David Kemp, rather than bemoan the lack of available players, Ford preferred to see it as one door closing for some players and another opening for others.

He insisted: "Their absence gives opportunities to others and that's what this game is all about."

Ford has bloodied Simon King and Jorden Holder, brought Rob Folland back in from the wilderness and continued with 17-year-old Jamie Brooks who only made his debut a week ago, and he may need to consider others.

The U's are already without Phil Gray, so Omoyinmi's absence leaves Andy Scott as the only experienced striker - unless Ford decides to recall Steve Anthrobus, who has already been told by Oxford that he is not being retained.

"I do have options up front," Ford said. These could include using either Folland or Holder as a striker.

*Oxford United Reserves lost their final Avon Insurance Combination match of the season 3-2 to QPR Res at Loftus Road yesterday.

Rangers opened the scoring after 25 minutes before Anthrobus equalised from a corner.

The Londoners scored twice in the second half to take command before substitute Robert Lovegrove, normally a centre half but thrown up front, pulled a goal back late on with a left-foot shot.

Ford, who had ew players to call on because of injuries, came on himself as a sub ten minutes from time, while United's community officer Peter Rhoades-Brown played the last 20 minutes.

"Peter Fear did quite well before blowing up a bit, and Dwight Ciampoli, who we played wide left and wide right, was excellent. Generally, we were good going forward but not very good at all defensively," Ford said.

United Res: Knight, Jones (Ford 80), Linighan, McGuckin, Powell, Cruise (Lovegrove 70), McIntosh (Rhoades-Brown 70), Fear, Anthrobus, Ciampoli, Ricketts.