Oxford United could be without hitman James Con-stable for Tuesday night’s Blue Square Premier clash at Kettering Town due to a back injury.

Constable, who scored 25 goals last season for the U’s, suffered the injury in Saturday’s last-gasp 2-1 victory against York at the Kassam Stadium, and is a doubt.

He is having intensive treatment in a bid to be fit in time.

“We have a couple of little knocks. James took a smack in the back on Saturday,” said U’s boss Chris Wilder.

“I think everyone in the ground saw it, but he is a big boy and puts up with it fantastically well and hopefully he will be OK.

“Those who were possible doubts came through and are available.”

Should the former Kidderminster striker fail to make it, United would have a ready-made replacement in Matt Green, who scored one and set up the winner for Mark Creighton against York.

Wilder wouldn’t be drawn on whether he would stick with the same 11 that started on Saturday or with the side that finished the game.

“Having a fully-fit squad isn’t a problem,” he said. “We work on different things to deal with different teams. We’re keeping our cards close to our chests.

“But the three who came on (Matt Green, Alex Rhodes and Alfie Potter) did very well.”

Wilder said that Kettering, who won their opener 2-1 at Forest Green Rovers, would be an even tougher proposition than last season when the U’s returned with a 2-1 victory.

“There are a group of clubs that don’t get the attention and the press as some of the others, but they go about their business,” said the U’s boss.

“Kettering are a good team with a good manager (Mark Cooper).”

Kettering: from Harper, Eaden, Jennings, Roper, Dempster, Green, Fowler, Noubissie, Spencer, Boucaud, Seddon, Geohaghon, Taylor, McPike, Thomas, Wrack, Marna.

Oxford Utd: from Clarke, Foster, Creighton, Sandwith, Murray, Clist, Bulman, Kelly, Constable, Midson, Potter, Green, Rhodes, Batt, Day.