WILL Goodwin is fit enough to make his first Oxford United start, head coach Des Buckingham has revealed.

Since joining the U’s from Cheltenham Town last month, Goodwin has been limited to three appearances from the bench after recovering from a quad injury.

The 21-year-old striker opened his account for United in midweek, heading in an Owen Dale cross to put the U’s in front at home to Northampton Town, before a stoppage time equaliser denied him a winning goal on his home debut.

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Buckingham said: “He could start in the next game if we wanted him to start, or we needed him to start, which is a great position for him to get himself into after his injury.

“Then it’s a decision on whether it’s right to start him in place of Mark Harris, or with Mark Harris, and how we manage that partnership.”

Buckingham also praised his Leyton Orient counterpart, Richie Wellens, who guided the O’s to the Sky Bet League Two title last season, and has got his side sitting ninth in the third tier.

“It’s a massive job that the manager’s done there. In the first third of the season, they were finding their way, but they’ve certainly found that,” said Buckingham ahead of the clash with Orient.

“They’re one of the form teams in the league at the moment, and they’ve put themselves in a strong position.

“We’ve also put ourselves in a strong position and we know how important this game is to making sure we stay there.”