STUART Findlay is a risk going into the final game of the season, Oxford United boss Liam Manning has revealed.
The U’s will be hoping to build on consecutive wins against Cheltenham Town and Forest Green Rovers, as they welcome an Accrington Stanley side in a similar yet altogether different boat.
United are safe from relegation to Sky Bet League Two, albeit a remarkable goal difference swing on the final day, while Stanley are relying on a huge swing in their favour if they are to stay in the third tier.
Key to Manning keeping the U’s afloat has been a tighter defence, with Findlay at the heart of that.
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However, the Scottish centre back is the sole injury concern for Manning at the weekend.
He said: “Stuart Findlay’s been a little bit tight on his hamstring and hasn’t trained this week, but he’s possible for the weekend.
“He’s the only one at the moment, the rest of the lads have trained terrifically.
“They’ve been brilliant in training and the last two sessions have probably been the best since we’ve been here.
“It’s been really enjoyable to watch, in terms of the competitiveness, the desire to win, but also the quality alongside it.
“The lads are in a good spot physically and seem to be there mentally so now it’s a case of rolling that over.”
On Stanley, Manning was full of praise for his opposite number John Coleman, the second-longest serving manager in the Football League.
Coleman has been in charge of Stanley since September 2014, but also managed the club between May 1999 and January 2012.
Manning said: “John’s done a terrific job there when you look at where the club were at and where he’s taken them to, not just their position in the league, but if you look behind the scenes, the stadium and how that’s progressed.
“I’m sure there’s more things with the infrastructure that have really progressed.
“I feel for John, he’s done an outstanding job there and I’m sure he’s someone that will go again and bounce back.
“So much work has happened behind the scenes to try and change it, whether it be confidence, psychological or technical.”
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“If you looked at the players they’ve had and sold on for money, I’m sure that’s an important aspect for the club, to keep the club going.
“You know what you’re going to get when you come up against an Accrington team, in terms of strong values that I look for ultimately, in being extremely honest and hard-working, and committed.
“They’re what you can associate with a John Coleman side.
“They’ve got some good players and you can see that with the result they picked up last week away at Bolton.
“They’re still fighting, they’re still scrapping and still competitive.
“That doesn’t change for me in terms of the weekend and we have to be prepared.”
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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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