Oxford United have been dealt a blow on the eve of tomorrow's final Manor Ground derby with Swindon Town, with striker Andy Scott ruled out.

The £100,000 capture from Brentford was hopeful of recovering from being hit in the face at Wrexham on Tuesday night, but the swelling has ballooned up.

"It was perhaps wishful thinking that he would be OK. He won't be fit," said manager David Kemp last night.

Andy Scott

"It's affected his eye and he can't see properly because it's too swollen. The cheekbone's not cracked, but he's not going to be able to play."

Kemp will bring in either Steve Anthrobus or Manny Omoyinmi to partner Northern Ireland striker Phil Gray in attack.

Had it been an away match, the U's boss might have thought about reverting to the 4-5-1 line-up that worked well at Bristol City last Saturday but, despite the abundance of midfielders now at his disposal, he says he is reluctant to do that.

"It's a home game, so people will be looking to us to have a real go at Swindon.

"I understand what this derby means to all our fans, and I've said that to the players. We're expected to win it."

Although United have not won in eight matches, Kemp believes his team will surely get their long overdue reward if they maintain recent standards.

"In the last five or six games, their level of performance has been good, it was only Millwall where it wasn't," Kemp said.

In addition to losing Scott, who says he got his injury after being struck by Wrexham's Dave Ridler, United will have two or three others nursing bruises after their physical confrontation at the Racecourse Ground.

"Darren Patterson and Wayne Hatswell have got stitches, so I can't fault my players for their commitment. They will be playing with their war wounds tomorrow."

Swindon wait on the fitness of Sunderland loanee Michael Reddy, who missed the 3-0 win over Oldham at the County Ground on Tuesday night after injuring his foot in last Saturday's 0-0 draw at Wigan.

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