Oxford United’s biggest home crowd of the season is expected today for their clash with high-flying Wycombe Wanderers.

Supporters have made a special effort for ‘Yellow Army Day’, and the gate is likely to surpass the 6,852 who watched the Portsmouth game in August.

Hundreds of flags and balloons will be handed out before kick-off at the Kassam Stadium in a bid to boost the atmosphere, while there are a host of other activities going on around the ground.

It is something which has worked well in the past and U’s goalkeeper Ryan Clarke is looking forward to the game having an extra edge.

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He said: “The fans are class anyway and get behind us.

“They’re sticking with the way we’re doing things, which is great and hopefully we can use that to repay them.

“When they do put a little spin on things to give a bit of an edge to the day as players you enjoy it more and it gives you a good buzz.”

It is an important game for both sides.

Wycombe have exceeded pre-season predictions to become one of the division’s front-runners and will be backed by an estimated 1,500 supporters.

But, after picking up one point from their last two games, Gareth Ainsworth’s men have been knocked off top spot.

After losing late on at Carlisle United a week ago, the U’s are in need of a response as they look to move away from Sky Bet League Two’s bottom six.

Clarke is comforted by a five-game unbeaten run at home, but is full of respect for Wycombe’s record.

He said: “It’s a great game to be involved in, obviously they’re flying high and we know what we’re capable of and we just need to make sure that we go on a consistent run, starting with Saturday.

“It’s a tough team, we understand they’re a really hard-working team and we’re going to have to make sure we’re at our best because they’re up there for a reason. It’s a good incentive for us to push on.”

He added: “We are on a good run at home at the moment and it’s going to be massively important for us come the end of the season that it stays intact.”

Wycombe’s main doubt is over winger Paris Cowan-Hall, who limped off with an ankle knock in their 1-1 draw at home to Dagenham & Redbridge last week.

If he is still struggling, Max Kretzschmar is likely to come into the side.

Meanwhile, Oxford United striker Tyrone Marsh’s loan spell at Welling United has been cut short due to a knee injury.

The 20-year-old was due to stay until December, but after scans revealed it is likely to take him three months to recover, Marsh has returned to the U’s.

Today's line-ups

Oxford Utd: from Clarke, Riley, Mullins, Wright, Holmes-Dennis, Rose, Whing, Collins, Potter, Hylton, Barnett, Roberts, O'Dowda, Jakubiak, Ruffels, Meades, Raynes, G Long.
Wycombe Wanderers: from Ingram, Jombati, Pierre, Mawson, Jacobson, Kretzschmar, Murphy, Scowen, Wood, Craig, Hayes, Rowe, Lewis, Cowan-Hall, Bloomfield, Walker, McClure, Richardson.

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