By Jon Murray

OXFORD United midfielder David Savage says he's really worried about getting his place back now that nearly everyone in the squad is fit.

The former Republic of Ireland international midfielder has been a near ever-present since joining the U's from Northampton 16 months ago, but along with James Hunt, he missed last week's 2-0 win at Bristol Rovers because of suspension after picking up five yellow cards.

He then watched Roy Hunter and Dean Whitehead come in and give fine performances.

Whitehead is a doubt for today's Division 3 game against Exeter City at the Kassam Stadium after having six stitches in a gash in his lower calf, but there are still more midfielders than places available.

Savage said: "It isn't going to be easy to get my place back. Deano was unlucky with his injury, but he's done well every time he's come in. Roy was excellent as well."

Many players are desperate to cement their place in the side with the FA Cup third-round visit to Arsenal coming up, but Savage says it's not just because of Highbury. "The whole place is buzzing and everybody wants to be involved in what's going on. If you have a shirt now, you want to hold on to it and I'm a bit concerned about this weekend, if I'm being honest," he said.

"We don't look like we're going to concede at the moment and there's a real belief that we can achieve this year. People want to be in the Oxford team that went back up."

U's boss Ian Atkins said: "For the first time this season, we've got everyone, apart from Jamie Brooks, available for selection and with all the festive period games coming up, it's great to be in that position.

"Deano's 50-50. If I had to play him, I could, but with quite a few midfielders back now, I may leave him for Boxing Day."

Atkins is expected to continue with a 3-5-2 formation, with wingbacks Scott McNiven and Matty Robinson pushing forward, and with Jefferson Louis and Steve Basham up front.

"Jefferson's the one in form with the goals, but Bash has been playing well. He just needs a goal, but the rest of his play has been excellent," Atkins added.

"David Oldfield is fit again, and we've also got Lee Steele and Andy Scott, but Louis and Basham are developing quite a nice partnership at the moment, and are making it hard for me to change it."

I would expect Hunt and Savage to return to the starting line-up, but the team was no weaker - indeed, it was possibly a bit more street-wise - with Hunter in it last weekend.

While United go into the game on a run of five straight wins and five successive clean sheets, Exeter have also had back-to-back victories, 3-1 at home to Rushden in the FA Cup and 1-0 at home to Swansea last Saturday.

Exeter have the former United captain Martin Thomas in midfield, and in defence, George Pilkington, on loan from Everton, plus a Brazilian, Santos. Andy Roscoe, who scored a brace at the Kassam Stadium in February, is expected to drop back to left back.

Oxford Utd: (from) Woodman, McNiven, Waterman, Crosby, Bound, Robinson, R Ford, Hunt, Savage, Basham, Louis, Hunter, Steele, Scott, Hackett, Oldfield, Ricketts, Sall, Powell, Whitehead.

Exeter City: (probable) Miller, Pilkington, Hiley, Santos, Roscoe, McConell, Thomas, Walker, Pettefer, Flack, Coppinger. Subs from: Virgo, Fraser, Breslan, Power, Moor, Ampadu.