PAUL Tait looks set to return to Oxford United's line-up at Rochdale today as Ian Atkins prepares to alter tactics in a bid to get results away from home.

The one disappointment for United's director of football since he arrived last November has been the lack of an away victory to date.

Atkins has worked hard with the players on becoming more solid on their travels.

"If we can have a performance like Swansea away from home, but attack more, then we're more likely to pick up the three points," Atkins said.

"But we've got to show more consistency for a longer period of time away, not just the first 15 minutes. I don't want us to concede a goal and then have to go and chase the game.

"Everybody can play at home at times because you're protected and you've got the crowd behind you. Away from home is different, because sometimes it gets a bit tough, a bit physical.

"I want us to be stubborn, be hard to beat and make it difficult for the home side to come and attack us. "At home, it's different. There, I want us to play with two wide men and keep attacking, but away, it's more about digging in and getting results."

Several United players have suffered from knocks or illness which has possibly forced Atkins's hand into using five at the back, although he might have done that anyway.

Sam Ricketts has had flu and with injury doubts over Wayne Hatswell and Simon King, who have been unable to travel, there is no left back. So Paul Powell, who has operated on the left of midfield under Atkins, will probably play at left wing back.

Andy Woodman, on loan from Colchester, will be in goal because of injuries to Ian McCaldon and Richard Knight.

David Savage is back after suspension and Tait could return to make his first start in three months to bolster the midfield.

Jamie Brookes is out for around three weeks after aggravating a knee injury in training, but Manny Omoyinmi is considered fit enough after his training-ground heel injury to travel with the party.

"It's ludicrous to get injuries in training," Atkins said. "It just shouldn't happen."

Rochdale will be playing their first home game since mid-December after having their last three matches at Spotland postponed. New manager John Hollins is expected to keep the side which won 1-0 at Macclesfield, Dale's first win since the opening week of November.

Former boss Steve Parkin took his midfield driving force, Gary Jones, with him when he took charge at Barnsley, and Rochdale have replaced Jones with the former Swindon Town, Southampton and Portsmouth midfield dynamo Alan McLoughlin, who is now 34.

One of Rochdale's star players is Kevin Townson, who got the winner at Macclesfield.

There were 36 scouts at Moss Rose to see the 18-year-old player, who 18 months ago was playing local pub football, get his 12th goal of the season. His meteroic rise has already seen him capped by England Under 18s.

Rochdale: (probable) Banks, Evans, Coleman, Griffiths, McAuley, McCourt, McLoughlin, Oliver, Atkinson, Platt, Townson. Subs: Gilks, Jobson, Connor, Doughty, Ware.

Oxford Utd: (from) Woodman, Stockley, Bound, Morley, Crosby, Powell, Savage, Whitehead, Tait, Moody, Scott, Omoyinmi, Gray, Hackett, Hatswell, Guyett, Thomas.