SAM Long and Rob Atkinson have been named in WhoScored.com's Sky Bet League One team of the season to date.

The Oxford United defenders feature in the number-crunching website's XI, where player ratings are based on more than 200 raw statistics.

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The U's join Sunderland, Hull City and Gillingham in having two representatives in the line-up, while Peterborough United, Lincoln City and Accrington Stanley also make the grade in the 4-4-2 formation.

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Rob Atkinson has been dominant in the air Picture: Ric Mellis

Atkinson's rating of 7.37 is the highest of the back five and the fourth-best overall.

The central defender has been imposing in the air at both ends of the pitch in recent weeks and this is reflected in the statistics.

In each of his 30 appearances, the 22-year-old wins 6.1 of 8.6 aerial duels on average - a success rate of about 70 per cent.

Atkinson has also managed 57 interceptions - among the top ten in the division - and 26 of his 30 dribbles have been successful.

Oxford Mail:

Sam Long's attacking contribution has been notable this season Picture: Steve Edmunds

He is partnered on the right side of defence by Long, who did not miss a League One game until the 2-1 win over Wigan Athletic on February 14.

The 26-year-old has a rating of 7.05, but if he had not had to fill in at centre back due to injuries earlier in the season it would be higher.

His score increases to 7.19 at right back, a position where the U's academy product has made a difference at both ends.

Long's attacking contribution came to the fore in the games against Plymouth Argyle and Burton Albion at the turn of the year, when he scored and claimed three assists in a pair of victories.

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His 31 chances created from open play are also second only to James Henry - underlining why United will be desperate to get him back from injury for the final nine games of the season.

Elsewhere, two-time U's loanee Jordan Graham makes the cut on the right of midfield, thanks to ten goals and six assists during a productive campaign at Gillingham. 

WhoScored.com Sky Bet League One team of the season so far (before Saturday's games):

  • GK: Lee Burge (Sunderland) - rating 6.72.
  • RB: Sam Long (Oxford United) - 7.05.
  • CB: Rob Atkinson (Oxford United) - 7.37.
  • CB: Cameron Burgess (Accrington Stanley) - 7.16.
  • LB: Callum Elder (Hull City) - 7.18.
  • RM: Jordan Graham (Gillingham) - 7.16.
  • CM: Jorge Grant (Lincoln City) - 7.45.
  • CM: George Honeyman (Hull City) - 7.29.
  • LM: Siriki Dembele (Peterborough United) - 7.35.
  • ST: Vadaine Oliver (Gillingham) - 7.39.
  • ST: Charlie Wyke (Sunderland) - 7.38.