Oxford United striker Jack Midson is expecting some stick at Cambridge on Friday night, but he hopes to answer it as he has done in the past – with a goal.

The former Histon star had an impressive record in derby matches for the village team against Cambridge United in his time at the Glassworld Stadium.

He netted the opener in a 2-2 draw on Boxing Day at the Abbey Stadium, popped up with an 85th-minute equaliser in the return league match at Histon, and also got the Stutes’ first goal when they went down 3-2 at home to Cambridge in last season’s FA Trophy.

The 26-year-old, who scored the winner in Oxford’s Trophy win over Hayes & Yeading last weekend, does not know whether he will keep his place, because top scorer James Constable is expected to return, and Matt Green is nearing full fitness again.

He said: “I think I’ve scored in all the Cambridge games that I’ve played. I don’t want to tempt fate, but hopefully, if I’m playing, I can get another goal.

“I’m sure they won’t like me down there, but I don’t really care.

“They’ll probably call me a Histon reject. I’ve moved on for the better – I think we’ve got a much better squad here than we had at Histon.”

Table-topping Oxford have the chance to go eight points clear if they can win at Cambridge, for a few hours at least, with second-placed Stevenage playing Barrow on Saturday.

But considering this is now the start to the second half of the season, there isn’t much daylight between the leading two.

“It is tight at the top,” Midson said. “Winning at Crawley was a very good night for us, with Stevenage losing as well. We’ve had some cup games since then and it was a big disappointment in the FA Cup, but we’ve moved on and put that right last Saturday.

“We won’t see the FA Trophy as a distraction and I’m sure everyone wants to go to the final. I know it’s early days, but we feel we’re good enough to get in the final and win it, and to push on and win our league games.”

Skipper Adam Murray misses Friday’s game after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in the Trophy win over Hayes & Yeading.