DES Buckingham has provided an extensive update on when he currently expects Oxford United’s injured players to return to first team action.

The U’s are currently without five players, while both Billy Bodin and Josh Murphy have had their game time closely monitored during the congested festive period.

Full backs Greg Leigh and Sam Long are set to be the first of the injured players to return, having both been unavailable since Buckingham became head coach on November 16.

Leigh has been nursing a calf injury picked up while on international duty with Jamaica towards the end of November, while Long suffered an ankle injury inside the opening few minutes of United’s 2-0 win at Lincoln City on October 31.

The duo could make their returns for the Emirates FA Cup third round tie at Coventry City on January 6.

Centre back Stephan Negru, plus wingers Marcus Browne and Kyle Edwards, have been sidelined with hamstring complaints, and will be the last of the players to make their comebacks.

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U’s head coach Buckingham said: “Greg and Sam at the moment are the two that will be the quickest back in the building, but that probably won’t be until Coventry.

“Josh is a doubt at the moment for tonight. We’ve sent him for a scan, so we’re waiting for the outcome of that.

“Billy again may be a late shout for tonight, but if not, the expectation is that he’ll be fit and available for selection come Charlton on New Year’s Day.

“Steph is three weeks away, and both Kyle and Browney may be a bit longer than we first thought, but I don’t want to give a date until we’ve got that officially from the medical team.”

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Next up for the U’s is tonight’s home clash with fellow promotion hopefuls Derby County.

The Rams sit fourth in Sky Bet League One, a place above United, on goal difference alone.

Buckingham said: “They’re a good team and they’re very clear on what they want to do and how they want to do it.

“They’ve got most of their players firing and available, so it’ll be a tough test, but we’ve had tough tests at the stadium since I’ve been here, Bolton being notably the other team up and around where we want to be.

“We’ll be as prepared as we can, and the players are really looking forward to getting back out on the field again.

“If they come out against us, we’ve shown we can compete with that and take advantage of that, but if they sit back, it’s about us trying to find a way to win the game.”

The U’s won the reverse fixture back in August, as Mark Harris netted a brace in a 2-1 win at Pride Park.

Buckingham said: “It’s nice to have but I’m not sure how useful it will be going into this one. The players know they can compete and win these games.

“We know how important these types of games will be because it’s not just keeping us where we need to be over the Christmas period, but it’s making sure we keep ourselves there at the end of the season.”