TODAY is Oxford United’s first Tuesday without a game since January 19.

The blank midweek will enable the U’s to recharge ahead of Friday’s trip to Sunderland, but also increases the chance of some players who have been injured making it into the squad at the Stadium of Light.

With nine matches of the Sky Bet League One season remaining, here is a recap on the state of play in United’s treatment room.

SAM LONG

U’s head coach Karl Robinson said as recently as Friday that he hopes Long will be available at Sunderland.

The right back played every league game of the season until the 2-1 home win over Wigan Athletic on February 14, having injured his hamstring at Bristol Rovers five days before.

But he has played just three times since after he damaged the same muscle in the 0-0 draw with Peterborough United on March 2.

Robinson previously said: “We will keep him for a week longer than what it should, with it being the same hamstring.”

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ELLIOT LEE

Luton Town loanee Lee is also due back on Friday, although his situation is slightly less straightforward.

The 26-year-old was also forced off against Peterborough, damaging a knee that needed an injection earlier in his career.

Lee returned to start at Hull City on March 13, but only played 30 minutes against Doncaster Rovers three days later after he passed a late fitness test following swelling.

The forward pulled out of training on March 19 and has missed United’s last three matches, although his omission from the squad against Lincoln City last Friday was with the Sunderland game in mind.

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ALEX GORRIN

The midfielder missed the visit of Lincoln with a tight groin, but United last week discovered he also has an underlying medical condition.

It is less serious than it sounds, but Robinson said it was a ‘mid-term fix’ and felt it was something Gorrin himself should explain.

Regardless, the Spaniard’s groin has limited his involvement in games earlier in the season, so we will probably not know until later in the week whether he will be fit for Friday.

ROB HALL

Forward Hall injured his ankle 20 minutes into the Under 21s’ win over Bristol Rovers last Wednesday.

Robinson said last week the damage still needed to be assessed, so once again we are likely to find out more before the Sunderland clash.

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OTHERS

Josh Ruffels’ knee injury sustained against Lincoln is not thought to be serious, while John Mousinho and Nottingham Forest loanee Marcus McGuane will not play again this season.

Luke McNally joined full training earlier this month following his mini pre-season, but is not expected to feature before the campaign is over.