Oxford United are likely to be boosted for tonight’s FA Cup replay against Accrington Stanley with Michael Duberry expected to be named in the squad.

It would be the first time the 37-year-old defender has been included in the 18, after missing the first half of the season with a neck injury.

Duberry played an hour in a specially-arranged behindclosed-doors game against United’s youth team on Thursday and providing there are no after-effects he will be selected.

U’s boss Chris Wilder is delighted to have Duberry back.

He said: “Unless there’s something that happens, he’ll be involved.

“As I’ve said all along, competition is a big thing.

“You can’t underestimate what it does to the other players with Michael coming in, competition for places keeps people on their toes.”

United go into the game as favourites to progress in the second-round replay, which would net the club £27,000 in prize-money and set up a home tie against Sheffield United next month.

They are in solid rather than spectacular form, unbeaten in six games, but with only one win in 90 minutes.

Accrington have lost three of their last four games, with the 3-3 draw against United in the original tie the exception.

Wilder acknowledged the balance is in their favour at the Kassam Stadium, where his side have lost just once in the last seven games.

He said: “You always want home advantage, so I think it will swing back to us because we’re on our pitch.

“How much does that count for? You don’t know, but I think it is slightly advantage to us, but it’s only a benefit if you play well and use the home crowd.”

United’s XI could be unchanged from Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Morecambe.

Jake Forster-Caskey is ineligible, while Simon Heslop misses out through suspension.

Accrington’s main injury doubt is over star striker James Beattie (Achilles), so few changes are expected from their 2-0 home defeat to Wycombe Wanderers last weekend.

Meanwhile, Wilder and a contingent from the U’s squad attended the funeral of Mitchell Cole near Stevenage yesterday.

The 27-year-old, who was forced to retire from United last year due to a heart condition, died earlier this month.

TONIGHT’S SQUADS

Oxford Utd: from Clarke, Batt, Raynes, Wright, Capaldi, Potter, Chapman, Leven, Rigg, Constable, Craddock, Cox, Worley, Duberry, O’Brien, Marsh, Davis, Brown.

Accrington Stanley: from Rachubka, Winnard, Nsiala, Murphy, Liddle, Miller, Joyce, Dixon, Boco, Molyneux, Amond, Dawber, Clark, Lindfield, Barnett, Hatfield, Mingoia, Carver, Beattie.

FORMER Oxford United midfielder Josh Payne has had his contract terminated by Aldershot after he was jailed for assault.

The 22-year-old was sentenced to 12 months in prison at Guildford Crown Court on Friday for actual bodily harm, with a concurrent four-month sentence for common assault after pleading guilty to both charges.

He made 34 appearances for the U’s before joining the Shots in January this year.