Oxford United head to Northwich with one of their weakest teams this season, on paper at least, because of injuries.

But there is a significant change on the bench - the backroom team - and some Oxford United followers are convinced it may in the long run make the team stronger.

Darren Patterson will be in the dug-out as United's new first-team coach, following his promotion from youth team coach and the departures of Andy Awford and Shaun North.

On the field, the U's appear to have problems in defence, with both skipper Phil Gilchrist and Luke Foster ruled out.

Foster sustained a nasty cut above an eye in training on Tuesday, in a collision with midfielder Carl Pettefer.

That means Mickey Corcoran and Barry Quinn could be the centre halves, or if Jim Smith wants to keep with his three central defenders, as in recent games, someone else may have to drop back.

And left-sided players Andy Burgess and Gavin Johnson will not be fit in time, after they hobbled off in the 0-0 draw against Burton last Saturday with hamstring and ankle injuries respectively.

"Andy and Gavin won't be available," Smith confirmed. "We're right down really to the bare bones.

"Gilly won't be travelling either, and Luke Foster had 11 stitches in his eyebrow, so although he may travel, he probably won't be able to play, I'd have thought."

Like Oxford United, relegation-threatened Northwich have had much better results on their travels than they have at home.

They have chalked up nine away wins in the Conference, three more than they have managed on their own ground.

And they are clearly a decent team on their day, having reached the semi-finals of the FA Carlsberg Trophy.

Smith said: "They go and lose 5-0 at home and they know they're in trouble, but they then go and get three great results away from home. So they do seem to be better away than at home . . . we know the feeling!

"I thought they were in trouble simply because they had so many games left to play and they've got to play three games a week - in some cases four times in a week.

"I thought if they don't get some results soon, they're going to be under real pressure.

"With the three away results they've just had, they've probably hauled themselves out of danger.

"But there's a lot of teams involved in that relegation battle, so they'll still be fighting for their lives."

United probably need six more points to guarantee their place in the play-offs.

Martin Foster, on loan until the end of the season from Halifax, has recent knowledge of the play-offs.

He experienced the heartache of losing in the play-off final, with Halifax last year, when they were beaten 3-2 by Hereford at the death at Leicester City's Walker Stadium.

Foster said: "At Halifax, we got beaten in the final last year and that was a cruel way to go out.

"When it comes down to it, it's a game of football over 90 minutes and you fancy your chances.

"We were in a good position in that game, 2-1 ahead with ten minutes to go. But it wasn't to be.

"But this time, with the play-off final now confirmed for Wembley, hopefully we can now do it there this time."

Foster said he enjoyed the experience of the play-offs, though he still thinks it would be fairer if the top two went up automatically.

"The play-offs are good, and make the season go on for another few weeks," he added.

"The best two in the league should go up from the start, that's what I think. If they're the best two over the season they deserve it.

"But these are in place now and you've just got to do it.

"We're trying to get a bit of a head of steam up and a bit of confidence."