Billy Turley could be rewarded for his patience with his first appearance of the season for Oxford United at Barrow today.

Regular keeper Ryan Clarke has an elbow injury, which has become infected, and is thought to be a major doubt, although he has travelled with the party.

The U’s may make a late fitness assessment on Clarke, because he has been outstanding this season, and has just picked up the Blue Square Player of the Month award for September.

U’s boss Chris Wilder said: “Ryan has done ever so well, but landing on his elbow on the hard pitches has caused a problem so he missed training on Thursday.

“Billy’s attitude has been spot-on all season and we are very lucky to have a keeper of his quality ready if Ryan isn't available.”

United’s manager is looking for his players’ impressive mental strength to see them through at Holker Street today.

“My players have shown real toughness the last two games,” he said.

“At Gateshead the surroundings were difficult, and on Tuesday they got over a poor refereeing decision for Crawley’s equaliser to go on to win the game.”

Leading scorer James Constable, who celebrates his 25th birthday tomorrow will be looking to bag his tenth goal of the campaign to make it a weekend to remember, while centre back Luke Foster makes his 100th start for the club.

Barrow’s joint-manager Darren Sheridan is hoping his team can reproduce their midweek form, when they beat Mansfield 3-1.

He said: “The lads did brilliant on Tuesday. We had to stand up and be counted and that’s exactly what we did.

“If we match that determination, then we can beat anyone in this league, or, at the very least, be very hard to beat.”

Barrow have one enforced change, with right back Simon Spender suspended after five yellow cards.

Centre half Mike Pearson may move across to right back with Adam Dugdale coming into the middle.

Former U’s centre back Phil Bolland has a knee injury and is a major doubt.

Barrow: (probable) Tomlinson, Pearson, Dugdale, Jones, Jelleyman, Kamara, Bond, Hulbert, Wainwright, Walker, Shaw. Subs from: Deasy, Rogan, Rutherford, Logan, Morris, Bolland.

Oxford Utd: (from) Clarke, Turley, Batt, Foster, Cre-ighton, Kinniburgh, Bulman, Murray, Clist, Green, Con-stable, Cook, Midson, Chapman, Sandwith, Perry, Day.

l Chapman praises Turley: Page 46 l Goal alert apology: Page 16