LIAM Manning says that Gatlin O’Donkor’s injury may open the door for Tyler Smith, after he was dropped from the matchday squad yesterday afternoon.
Hull City loanee Smith has managed just one stoppage time substitute appearance under Manning, with that coming in the goalless draw at Port Vale when he replaced Stephan Negru.
Teenage striker O’Donkor was forced off after 25 minutes during yesterday’s 2-0 defeat at Barnsley, and Manning suggested that could provide an opportunity for Smith.
READ ALSO: Oxford United slump to 20th league defeat of the season against promotion hopefuls
United’s head coach was light on details with regard to O’Donkor’s injury immediately after the game, and said: “Tyler’s got to keep his head down and keep working like he has done.
“He’s shown a good appetite, it ultimately comes down to what you’re looking for in games.
“He’s potentially got an opportunity if Gats isn’t ready for Tuesday.
“Like I always say about the team selection, it’s one we look at in terms of the types of players they’ve got and where we need to be successful.”
Manning also revealed that Marcus Browne was dropped to the bench yesterday in order to protect his fitness levels, although he ended up coming on when O’Donkor was forced to come off.
Former MK Dons boss Manning confirmed Browne is available to start on Tuesday for the home clash with Cheltenham Town.
“We can do better than that, we know we can play better than that and despite not performing terrifically well, we still had some really good chances.”
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) April 22, 2023
Reaction from Liam Manning after defeat against Barnsley #oufc https://t.co/3ICzoKQ72U pic.twitter.com/dCRHeNNDZC
“We have to be a little bit mindful that’s the most minutes Marcus Browne has played in a really long time,” said Manning.
“With the games we’ve got coming up, we need Marcus fit and firing, and fresh.
“He put such a shift in on Tuesday that it was one we had to be a little bit mindful of where he’s at physically.
“We need the squad, we’ve had such a long period now with two-game weeks and three-game weeks, we need people to step in and deliver.”
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About the author
To sign up to Liam’s latest Oxford United newsletter for free, click here: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/newsletters/
Formerly the politics reporter for the Oxford Mail, Liam now covers all things Oxford United.
Liam attends the U’s home and away, as well as covering other big sports stories across the county.
His Oxford United newsletter is released every Saturday morning at 6am.
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