THERE will be at least one Steve Davis appearing in Oxford United's Worthington Cup tie at Luton tonight - and United hope there'll be two.

The Hatters have their own centre back by that name and he's a definite starter for the first round first leg of the competition, previously called the Coca-Cola Cup.

U's own centre back Steve Davis faces a late fitness test on an Achilles tendon injury which forced him to leave the field midway through the second half of Saturday's 2-2 draw at Bristol City.

Ironically, when he first joined Oxford last season, former Barnsley man Steve Davis was mistaken by many, including their own Clubcall, for the Luton Town defender.

United boss Malcolm Shotton, who will be without striker Kevin Francis because of his knee infection, said: "I'm naming a squad of 19 because in this competition you can name five subs and play three from five so that gives you a few more options.

"With Steve we'll just leave it until the morning and as late as possible to give him every chances of playing."

Phil Whelan is included in the squad in case Davis fails his fitness test.

Fellow defender Phil Gilchrist was limping slightly after Saturday's game at Ashton Gate but he trained yesterday and should be fit. Luton finished in the bottom half of the second division last season but Shotton will be warning his team not to take them lightly.

"They've got a decent squad and it won't be an easy match for us. "

The last time these two clubs met in the competition was in the semi-finals in 1987-8 after Oxford had just knocked out Manchester United. Luton won 3-1 on aggregate and went on to beat Arsenal 3-2 in the final.

Luton manager Lennie Lawrence is expected to stick by the side which won 1-0 at Wycombe on Saturday, although he has a doubt over midfielder Ray McKinnon, a summer signing from Dundee United, who has been having treatment on a knee injury.

The Hatters were unbeaten in pre-season, beating Coventry and drawing with an Arsenal XI. Up front they have the lively Philip Gray and Frenchman Herve Bacque, signed from Monaco.

Former United winger Chris Allen, who spent three months on loan at Kenilworth Road last season, has returned to Nottingham Forest.

Oxford Utd squad: Whitehead, Robinson, Marsh, Powell, Gilchrist, Davis, Gray, Hill, Windass, Banger, Thomson, Beauchamp, S Weatherstone, Smith, Rose, Cook, Whelan, Wilsterman, Jackson.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.