MARTIN Foster and Mickey Corcoran make their Oxford United debuts as Jim Smith shakes up his side against Cambridge today, writes JON MURRAY.

With Billy Turley still injured, Chris Tardif continues in goal, but there could be a number of outfield changes.

Foster comes into the midfield and Northern Ireland Under 21 international Corcoran looks set to replace Andrew Gunn at the back.

On-loan Halifax skipper Foster could form a central midfield partnership with Danny Rose, whose loan has now been extended until the ed of the season.

Smith says he is delighted to have the talented Rose remaining at the club.

With United not playing well in recent weeks, it hadn't been easy for the Old Trafford teenager.

"He wants to learn, wants to be here and it's a great experience for him," Smith said.

"He's the kind of lad you really want around the place because he really wants to be a footballer."

The most interesting question, as the U's look to end a nine-match winless run in the Conference, is whether Smith will continue with the same formation.

The 3-5-2 system hasn't worked in some recent games with Rufus Brevett more of a full back than a wing back and Eddie Anaclet, despite his unquestionable enthusiasm, unable to deliver the telling crosses the forwards need.

Smith must also decide whether to stick with Rob Duffy and Kris Grebis up front or find a starting place for Yemi Odubade, who was outstanding and scored twice when United won 3-0 at the Abbey Stadium in October.

Cambridge had lost seven in a row before beating Woking 3-0 last weekend, four days after Oxford United went down 1-0 at the same opponents.

Manager Jimmy Quinn was busy in the transfer market this week, offloading Dean Holdsworth, who left by mutual consent, and sending goalkeeper Paul Crichton to Kings Lynn after he was dropped and fined for disciplinary reasons after having a go at the fans.

In have come defender Aiden Collins and keeper Danny Crane, with striker Dan Chillingworth making his move from Rushden permanent.

Ex-Oxford duo Courtney Pitt and Danny Brown are in the Cambridge midfield, along with Christian Smith, who is on loan from Port Vale.

Oxford Utd: (from) Tardif, Quinn, Corcoran, Gilchrist, Brevett, Coombes, Rose, Foster, Burgess, Duffy, Odubade, Tucker, Johnson, Anaclet, Grebis, Robinson, Hargreaves, Beechers, Gunn.

Cambridge Utd: (probable) Herbert, Brady, Morrison, Duncan, Peters, Pitt, Brown, Bridges, C Smith, Chillingworth, Simpson. Subs: Crane, Collins, S Smith, Ademeno, Quinton.