Oxford United manager Chris Wilder has called on his players to deliver on the big occasion at Rushden.

“It’s time for a big performance,” he said, ahead of United’s vital Blue Square Premier game.

“We’ve got to put in a big overall performance and our big players have got to put in big performances under pressure now – and they understand that.”

Centre back Jake Wright faces a late fitness test on a knee injury.

Chris Hargreaves is set to return to the engine room of the team, but Adam Murray may have to wait until he’s back in midfield.

Wilder says fans who have been calling for a return of skipper Murray, the side’s main playmaker, have to trust him on when he’s right to come back.

“If we don’t think he can get about the park for a substantial part of the game, and the game’s not right for him, then we’re not going to put him in.

“The timing has got to be right. People have got to trust me on that one.

“I want Adam back, of course I do, I’d be daft not to. He gets us going, he’s a passer, he gets us playing but I’ve got to make sure everything is right with him.”

Wright suffered a slight medial ligament problem in the first half at Tamworth and the U’s will assess him before naming the team. But he is thought to be about 70-30 to play.

And James Constable has not suffered any reaction to his first game back after an ankle injury, so will lead the line again.

Alfie Potter could be involved, but will similarly need his fitness assessed on the day.

Wilder believes one win – one goal even – is all United need to get themselves going.

“Definitely,” he said. “In the game on Sunday, we were dominant in the first half. Tamworth had a chance in the first minute and a couple of sporadic breaks, but it was predominantly one-way traffic.

“Things aren’t going our way at the moment, but I’ve said to the players, we’ve got to work harder to make sure the breaks go our way.

“I’m sure, as soon as we get a goal, and a win under our belt, it will start us off.

“We need a win, we know that. We understand we need to put a charge on to kick-start our season. But we’re ready for the challenge and looking forward to it.”

Rushden have been in good form. Losing 1-0 to Oxford at the Kassam Stadium on February 16 was their only defeat in the past 12 games, and they put eight goals past Gateshead in their last home match.

Midfielder Simon Downer (knee) could return in place of Osano, but ex-U’s player Rob Wolleaston remains a doubt because of a hamstring injury. Nicky McNamara returns to the squad after a three-match ban for his red card at Histon.

Rushden: (from) Roberts, Corcoran, Robinson, Stuart, Osano, Byrne, Porter, Terry, Farrell, Louis, Tomlin, O’Connor, Pattison, Smith, Daly, Akurang, Downer, McNamara, Wolleaston.

Oxford Utd: (from) Clarke, Batt, Day, Wright, Tonkin, F Green, Bulman, Hargreaves, Clist, Deering, Constable, Turley, Chalmers, Chapman, Creighton, M Green, Midson, Potter, Murray, Sandwith.