Alex Jeannin returns from suspension as Oxford United get back to the nitty gritty of the Blue Square Premier at Rushden on Thursday.

But the defender's return is one of the few bright spots as Jim Smith contends with a crippling injury list ahead of the game in front of the dreaded Setantas cameras.

United have featured six times on tv this season, and are yet to win a game.

And with no fewer than nine senior first-team players either out or struggling with injury, United are up against it.

"It really is a big game for us," Smith said.

"We do not have many league games coming up in the next month or so with the FA Cup and FA Trophy so we don't want to drop any further down the league.

"But I can't remember the last time I saw an injury list like ours, so we will need everyone to be on top of their game."

Buoyed by their win over Merthyr Tydfil last week, Smith will hope that striker Yemi Odubade has shaken off a hip injury, otherwise he will be forced into a big reshuffle.

Jordan Rhodes is the only other striker fit, with youngster Alex Fisher again likely to be on the bench.

Loan signing Kieron St Aimie could make his debut after joining from Queens Park Rangers earlier this week, and may play alongside Lotfus Road teammate Stefan Bailey in midfield.

Matt Day and Eddie Hutchinson are both on the comeback trail, but may not be fit to start and could be named as substitutes.

Phil Gilchrist trained this week and is available, while Jeannin's return means Ben Weedon must settle for a place on the bench at best.

Definitely out for United are Gary Twigg, Rob Duffy, Eddie Anaclet, Joel Ledgister and Danny Rose.

Goalkeeper Billy Turley returns to his former side for the second time.

"We want to go to Rushden and get a win so that we can climb up the league and knock this Setanta jinx," Smith said.

"We haven't won in front of their cameras yet, so it would be nice to put that right.

"But more importantly we have had two wins and two draws from our last four games and want to build on that.

"We dominated at Rushden last year, but never looked like scoring a goal. Hopefully, we can create some chances tonight and with Jordan full of confidence, we can get some goals."

Rushden beat Solihull Moors 5-0 in the FA Cup last week - but have not won a home league game since their opener against Farsley Celtic.

They boast two ex-Oxford men in midfield, Andy Burgess and Martin Foster.

Burgess has been playing on the right wing, with Foster occupying one of the central berths.

It will be the first time that Burgess has crossed swords with Smith after criticising United's manager when leaving the club at the start of the season.

Simeon Jackson and Craig McAllister will lead the Rushden line, with the former having scored eight in eight before Saturday's easy win.

Oxford Utd: from Turley, L Foster, Corcoran, Willmott, Jeannin, Bailey, Quinn, St Aimie, Trainer, Odubade, Rhodes, Day, Hutchinson, Gilchrist, Fisher, Worrall, Pettefer, Standing.

Rushden: probable Nicholls, Osano, Gulliver, Hope, Howell, Burgess, Challinor, M Foster, Kelly, McAllister, Jackson. Subs: Bastock, Hatswell, Rankine, Shaw, Malcolm.