Oxford United have thrown a spanner in the works of their manager's plans for squad rotation this month - by playing so well!

o Jim Smith admitted he had planned to make two or three changes for tonight's match at Southport, but now, after seeing how well the team played in Saturday's 2-0 victory over Stevenage, he's not so sure.

"There's a strong possibility I will make changes, if only from the simple fact that we've got a game Tuesday and then a game Saturday," he said.

"I had plans to rotate and people would come in on Tuesday fresh, but I might now let them have the two games and get them fresh for next Saturday.

"It's something I've got to make my mind up on."

Martin Foster and Rob Duffy were both subbed before the end of the Stevenage game, partly to avoid further suspensions, with on-loan Halifax midfielder Foster now on nine bookings, and striker Duffy on eight.

If they reach ten, they will be suspended.

"Duffy had got a bit of a knock, his bookings are getting near to getting suspended," Smith added.

"Duffy, Matty Day and Fozzie are all very near to ten bookings, so I'm trying to avoid that at the moment."

United remain ten points behind Dagenham, who just keep on winning. But the ease of the Daggers' win at Southport will make Oxford fancy their chances tonight.

Smith said: "We look at the scoreline, 4-1, and you think that Southport could be beatable.

"But Dagenham keep rolling on. What can you say? You have to give them full credit."

Man had yet to step on the moon the last time Oxford United visited Haig Avenue.

That was for a Third Division game in February 1968, the season Oxford won the league. However, that day Port, managed by Billy Bingham, won 1-0.

The ground has happy memories for Smith, who re- called: "It was one of my better victories in the FA Cup with Boston United. Southport were in the League then and we beat them 4-0, I think it was."

Skipper Mark Boyd returns to Southport's midfield after serving a one-match ban.

Right back Chris Lane is serving the second of a two-match ban, but he couldn't have played against Dagenham on Saturday in any case because he was injured falling over a cone in training on Friday!

Southport: (from) Harrison, Hocking, Birch, Lee, Rowland, Duffy, Holland, Boyd, Blakeman, Baker, Newby, Clancy, Paterson, Bagnall, Powell, Houghton.

Oxford Utd: (from) Turley, Day, Corcoran, Gilchrist, Johnson, Anaclet, M Foster, Rose, Burgess, Duffy, Odubade, Tardif, Quinn, Hargreaves, Robinson, Brevett, Pettefer, L Foster, Coombes.

FORMER United striker John Durnin, who was coaching and scouting for Southport earlier in the season, left the club to concentrate on playing all over the world for Liverpool Veterans.