OXFORD United are set to welcome back five players from injury ahead of the club’s clash away at fellow play-off hopefuls Blackpool.

Right back Sam Long has been forced to sit on the sidelines and follow concussion protocols for the last three games, while goalkeeper Jamie Cumming, plus Billy Bodin, Josh Murphy and Will Goodwin have all shaken off injuries.

The latter of that quintet is the one most likely to excite U’s fans, who have yet to see their January signing in action, after arriving at the club with a minor quad injury.

With that now dealt with, the 21-year-old striker is in line to make his United debut against a Blackpool side who sit five points and directly a place behind them in the Sky Bet League One table.

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U’s head coach Des Buckingham said of Goodwin: “He’s back and has been training, and is available for selection, and will travel to Blackpool.

“He’s been patiently waiting, and arrived to us with a slight niggle that he wasn’t even aware of.

“He’s worked extremely hard with Amy [Cranston, head of medical] and our medical team, and the sports science guys, to hopefully prepare him as well as he can, so that when he does enter the field, he can show people what he can do.”

United fought off strong interest from fellow third tier side Charlton Athletic to land Goodwin, with both clubs understood to have made bids of roughly £400,000 for the centre forward, who has scored six goals in 16 League One games so far this season.

Goodwin’s height and physical presence is set to add a new threat to the U’s attack, although Buckingham says the striker is more than able to play to feet as well.

He said: “Will’s been signed for both the short-term and the long-term. The first thing that does jump out is his physicality, and he’s able to use that well.

“He’s an extremely good player with his feet as well. He’s somebody that can help us link play and it’s very important that he’ll be able to do that for us.

“He’ll also offer us a different threat inside the box, from more aerial routes.”

On the other players set to return this weekend, Buckingham said: “Billy Bodin has been passed fit and will travel with the squad, and Josh Murphy makes a welcome return, with not just quality, but some additional pace to the team.

“Sam Long is back fit after his concussion protocols, and he’s now passed all those tests. Jamie Cumming has trained fully this week, and he’s another one that’s available for selection.

“Joe Bennett will be Wigan as long as he trains fine, and he’ll be good for selection on Tuesday.”