SAM Deering returns to the starting line-up for Oxford United in today’s crucial match at home to 17th-placed Gateshead.

And Alfie Potter looks set to be on the bench after recovering from the hamstring injury which has kept him out for six weeks.

It’s a Blue Square Premier battle that the U’s realistically need to win to keep up the pressure on leaders Stevenage.

Oxford moved back to second in the table with their 1-1 draw at Rushden on Wednesday, but are five points behind Stevenage, whom they meet next Tuesday.

Boss Chris Wilder said: “There’s still a lot of fight in us, as we showed at Rushden, and that’s why I was passionate in defence of my players after the game. I just want everyone to get behind us.”

Deering, who came off the bench to grab United’s equaliser at Rushden, will be back in from the start.

“He chased a lost cause for the goal and did well,” Wilder added.

“Sam will be starting on Saturday and I didn’t want to burn him out. I thought it was the right time to bring him on.”

United have drawn their last three games, but it’s now Stevenage who face a run of four very difficult games. They take on Crawley, Oxford, Luton and AFC Wimbledon in a ten-day period that will shape their season.

But teams like Gateshead, who beat Wrexham 1-0 in midweek, can also be stubborn opponents.

“It’s difficult at this stage of the season for everybody,” said the manager.

“Teams have something to fight for at the bottom, like Tamworth, and something at the top, like Rushden.

“We need a decent points total in the next ten days and then we just have to see what others manage in that same period.”

Gateshead lie four points above the drop zone with eight games remaining, with United desperate to get back in the winning habit before visiting the leaders.

Said Wilder: “The players know that if, we’re going to win the league, it’s a game we’ve got to win.”

Wilder admits everyone, apart from Adam Murray, who needs an operation, is now in contention for a place in the squad. But those who aren’t regulars and are given chances, have got to grab them.

“We feel we have given opportunities to certain people and they have not taken them, that’s why they’re not playing at the moment. But everybody has a part to play over the next few weeks.”

Gateshead, who are preparing to turn full-time, have chalked up back-to-back home wins over Forest Green and Wrexham, and boss Ian Bogie reckons that two more wins should ensure that they stay up.

Oxford Utd:

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

Gateshead: (from) Baxter, Curtis, Swailes, Cave, Turnbull, Parkinson, Winn, Ferrell, Clare, Provett, Phillips, Buchanen, Hurren, Wake, Richardson, Sinclair, Francis.