ELLIOTT Moore is set to miss Oxford United’s trip to Burton Albion with a chest infection.

The centre back is unlikely to feature in tomorrow's Carabao Cup first round tie at the Pirelli Stadium and is doubtful for Saturday’s Sky Bet League One clash with Charlton Athletic.

Karl Robinson admitted United are down to the ‘bare-bones’ in defence, with Sam Long not expected to be involved as he continues to build up fitness.

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Meanwhile, Michael Elechi is isolating until Thursday and even James Golding, 17 today, is away with the Republic of Ireland's Under 19s.

It could see Luke McNally make his competitive debut at centre back, while club captain John Mousinho should be on the bench for the first time since December.

U's head coach Robinson said: “Elliott Moore’s got a chest infection, we were really worried with him over the weekend.

“We can’t risk Sam Long, we’re still monitoring one or two things so he’s not going to be in the squad.

“Michael Elechi, who had Covid, is not back in until Thursday, so we’re very light on defenders.

“We’re very bare-bones when it comes to the back four, but our front three and our midfield three will be strong.”

One piece of good news is that Nathan Holland is set to feature after missing Saturday’s League One opener at Cambridge United as he was self-isolating, with Robinson hoping the on-loan winger can play 30 minutes.

The U's boss said at the weekend that McNally was still struggling after catching Covid last month, but expects the 21-year-old to be fit.

Robinson said: “He came back all fine, he still finds it hard to catch his breath but we’re very confident the medical team have done everything right.

“He’s gone through every test that you have to go through.”

United staff met this morning to work out which players who featured at the weekend are ready to be involved tomorrow.

Robinson added: “These are all things we look really deep into with the GPS data – where certain players have had injuries before and does playing them repeat something that’s happened in the past?

“It’s not just a case of putting the team together, it’s making sure the players are safe going into these next few games.”