THE big selection decision surrounding Oxford United’s starting line-up rests on who gets the nod to start alongside Liam Sercombe in midfield.

Josh Ruffels impressed in the 2-0 win against Hartlepool United last week, as John Lundstram was rested due to an ankle problem.

The former Everton trainee is available again, so head coach Michael Appleton will have to weigh up who gets the shirt.

He said: “It looked like the ankle had been bothering him for a couple of weeks and we were in a position where we couldn’t afford to have any passengers.

“Josh had earned the right to start and I thought he did ever so well.”

Kemar Roofe is likely to play despite an ankle issue, but a similar problem makes Johnny Mullins is a major doubt.

Carlisle are without suspended striker Hallam Hope, while former U’s defender Michael Raynes is a doubt with a head injury.

TODAY'S SQUADS

Carlisle Utd: from Gillespie, McQueen, Ellis, Gillesphey, Grainger, Stacey, Joyce, Comley, Kennedy, Wyke, Ibehre, Asamoah, Thompson, Gilliead, Brough, Smith, Miller, Raynes, Hanford.

Oxford Utd: from Buchel, Kenny, Dunkley, Wright, Skarz, MacDonald, Sercombe, Lundstram, Maguire, Hylton, Roofe, Bowery, Waring, O’Dowda, Ruffels, Ashby, Long, Mullins, Slocombe.