Joel Ledgister has given Oxford United manager Jim Smith a problem he didn't think he would have - he's proving to be unexpectedly good as a striker!

One of six summer signings, the 19-year-old was snapped up from Gravesend & Northfleet before they reinvented themselves as Ebbsfleet United, yet he was looked upon as a speedy winger rather than an accomplished front man.

However, he's proved very direct in his running, has greatly troubled defences and, as he has demonstrated in shooting practices in training, he can strike the ball beautifully.

It could lead to Smith deploying him up front in United's first league game of the season against Forest Green Rovers at the Kassam Stadium today.

"You're always looking for pace," Smith said.

"It's important in any league, but certainly against the defenders we play against, pace hurts them."

He added: "Up front I've got five strikers.

"Joel's turned into a striker and I thought he was a winger - so that's added to the problems, but that is one department you'd like to have an excess of players because if someone's not scoring, you can change it, and you get injuries.

"That is my biggest dilemma . . . which two to start with. The side is pretty well settled in my mind, I've just got to decide on the front pairing, and the three at the back."

Only Phil Gilchrist and Chris Willmott are unavailable for the U's.

Forest Green are without defender John Hardiker, who starts a three-match ban, while centre half Chris Giles (hip) and striker Adriano Rigoglioso (knee) are doubtful.

Oxford Utd: (from) Turley, Corcoran, Quinn, Day, Anaclet, Hutchinson, Standing, Trainer, Jeannin, Duffy, Ledgister, Twigg, Robinson, Pettefer, Foster, Gnohere, Odubade, Tardif.

Forest Green Rovers: (from) Robinson, Lawless, James, Jones, Giles, Preece, Tonkin, Pitman, Brough, Clist, Smith, Afful, Dodgson, Stonehouse, Beesley, Rigoglioso, Carey-Bertram, Fleetwood, Davis, Burton.

  • There will be a minute's silence before today's match, in memory of groundsman Dave Wedge, who died last Saturday.