Oxford United's foreign duo Christophe Remy and Brian Wilsterman look certain to miss Saturday's Division 1 curtain-raiser at Bristol City.

French defender Remy has been ruled out with a torn calf and Dutchman Wilsterman is rated very doubtful with a hamstring strain.

Otherwise, though, manager Malcolm Shotton will have a full squad from which to choose - quite a difference from the team he inherited last January.

"Fortunately we've got no long-term injuries," he said. "When I came to the club, Mike Ford was out, Whelan was out and then Massey got his bad injury and both Banger and Remy were injured, so I was without five senior players.

"Now I've got virtually everybody available. Christophe won't make it, he has a tear in his calf but it's only minor. Brian is also struggling with his hamstring. Other than that, everybody is fighting for places at Ashton Gate."

Shotton says he knows the team he wants to play but he has reminded his players that throughout the season no-one is sure of their place. "I've got a good idea of my starting line-up," Shotton said at a press briefing yesterday which marked six months as manager of Oxford United. "I've had a good idea of my best side since I've been here.

"The lads are now ready for full competitive games. Really, pre-season matches are all about fitness. Winning's a great habit to get into but overall the five games have been very beneficial for looking at different players and different systems."

Shotton is keeping his cards close to his chest on his starting line-up until he names his squad after training on Friday.

One who is certain to make his debut, providing he is registered in time, is £475,000 record signing Dean Windass who will add creativity to the midfield.

"Dean has great passing ability, scores goals, can put his foot in and is a very bubbly character in the dressing room," said Shotton.

"He's one of those rare players who's a winner but who can also play a bit and I believe he'll do well for this football club. He'll give us a lot of extras.

"Last season we won a lot of games mainly through hard work but we needed to have more ability to go with that and needed to open other teams up more, and I believe we've got that now."

UNITED have sold over 1,000 tickets for Saturday's all-ticket match at Bristol City. Tickets are on sale until 5pm tomorrow. No tickets will be available on the day of the match.

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