It will be a refreshed Oxford United team that takes to the field against Morecambe on Saturday.

The U’s have made the most of their two-week break with a mixture of hard training sessions and some time to rest weary legs.

And that, says boss Chris Wilder, means that they will be primed to get out of their sticky patch. And quickly.

“We’ve had time to assess, re-focus, get both some thoughts and rest into players,” United’s manager said.

“We know we need to have a good month because we’ve not had a very good November.

“The facts are that we are on the back of three straight league defeats and that does not sit nicely with me, my coaching staff and the players.

“We have not been at our strongest in terms of our performances, in terms of the players we can pick and have been slightly unfortunate to run into three teams who have been in good runs of form and have had players available.

“But you’ve just got to get on with it and overcome these hurdles.

“I agree with what the chairman has said recently in terms of there being expectation here – and I would want there to be that and feel we have created that ourselves because of what we have done.”

Wilder was hoping that the break would mean that several injured players would be available for tomorrow’s game, but a couple have not recovered as quickly as United’s boss hoped.

Michael Duberry is still doubtful for the game and Alfie Potter misses out after both of their groin injuries have taken longer to heal than expected.

“It you ask our supporters who the stand-out defender has been it would be Dubes, and the top attacking player – even though we know he must improve his goals record – it would be Alfie.

“So that’s at both ends of the pitch we’re missing key players.

“Having said that, I have always backed the squad we have here and I am confident we have enough about us and enough quality to get back on a good run.”