OXFORD United boss Chris Wilder will be doing everything to get Chris Hargreaves fit for the play-offs.

The experienced midfielder has a knee problem and last featured in the 1-0 defeat at Stevenage, where he picked up the injury.

But Wilder is desperate to get the 37-year-old ready for the climax to the season.

Hargreaves enjoyed play-off success with Torquay last season, ending a torrid run which had seen him suffer play-off heartache in four of the previous five campaigns. The other saw him relegated – with Oxford.

However, Wilder knows his experience could be vital.

“We’re working on the fitness of Greavsie and are just going to try and get him through and give him some minutes ready for the play-offs,” Wilder said.

United will train at Premier League Stoke today ahead of tomorrow’s Blue Square Premier game at Altrincham.

It’s the team’s first trip north, of any distance, this year and they travelled up this morning with doubts over Hargreaves and Simon Clist.

Clist needed almost half a dozen stitches in a head wound sustained at Hayes & Yeading on Good Friday, and these are now being taken out.

Wilder added: “We’re not going to take any unnecessary risks with anyone.

“With Clisty, we’re just waiting on his stitches coming out and seeing if he’s OK after his concussion.”

Inside United: Pages 54-55