OXFORD United striker Tom Craddock revealed his relief that his one-match ban is finally over.

The former Middlesbrough and Luton forward is available again for the U’s against Southend United at the Kassam Stadium tomorrow as Chris Wilder’s team bid to get 2011 off to a good start after ending 2010 with three straight wins.

The 24-year-old was handed a one-match ban for accumulating five yellow cards when he was booked in United’s 2-1 win over Barnet on December 4.

But he had to wait almost a month to serve out the suspension because United’s next three matches were postponed.

Craddock, who has scored five goals in 13 games for United since his £50,000 move from Luton, eventually completed the ban three days ago when he sat out the U’s 2-1 victory over Macclesfield.

“Everyone says it must be the longest one-match suspension on record,” he agreed.

“It certainly feels like it, but thankfully it’s now over and the Southend game will take place.

“Obviously the lads did very well on Tuesday, so I can’t expect to walk straight back in, but I’m looking forward to putting myself in contention.”

Manager Chris Wilder says it’s a boost to have Craddock to call on again, and having competition for places up front is healthy.

“Tom’s a real good player – one we wanted to bring to the football club,” he said.

“It’s absolutely vital that we have that competition . . . we’ve got good players at the top of the pitch.

“Beano (James Constable) was out for a bit with a bit of illness and that affected him and his level of performances. He came out of the side and showed with a bit of rest and going back in that he’s back to his best.

“So players have got to produce performances to stay in the team, and if they don’t you’ve got the likes of Tom and Matt Green in and around it, ready to put pressure on because they’re all desperate to play.”

United’s manager was delighted with the 2-1 win over Macclesfield and says his players now need to improve their performance level.

“I think we can play better,” he said.

“But one thing we have said is that we’ve not got the results that have matched the performances, especially at home, and it’s important that we win our home games, so the result was vital.”

Wilder has to decide whether to bring back fit-again Jake Wright back into central defence, but otherwise could name an unchanged side.

Southend left back Peter Gilbert serves the third match of a three-game ban.

Oxford Utd: (from) Clarke, Batt, Worley, Futcher, Kinniburgh, Heslop, Payne, Clist, Potter, Maclean, Constable, Craddock, Tonkin, Wright, Hall, Midson, Eastwood, Purkiss, Green.

Southend Utd: (from) Morris, Clohessy, Mohsni, Barker, Herd, Simpson, Grant, Easton, Hall, Sturrock, Soares, Coughlan, Corr, Evans, Zaaboub, Prosser, Crawford, Milner.