Centre back Jake Wright admits he’s itching to get back into action as he returns to Oxford United’s side for today’s npower League Two match at home to Northampton.

The former Halifax and Brighton defender has been sidelined for nearly six weeks with a back injury, but has been back in training for a while, and played in a practice match during the week.

And the way he came through that has given him a boost, he says, ahead of today’s local derby at the Kassam Stadium.

“It gives me a lot of confidence that I came through,” he said.

“I wasn’t holding back, I was sprinting, turning, tackling and I know in myself that I’m OK, and I felt fine the day after.

“I played 60 minutes and felt fine. I’m definitely eager to get back.

“It’s obviously frustrating not training and watching the boys play and then you have to go across to the gym, especially with my injury because I couldn’t really do any running, just let the disc repair itself.”

But Wright says United, now in 14th place in the table, should not beat themselves up too much about last week’s uncharacteristic 3-2 defeat at Macclesfield, where they squandered a two-goal half-time lead.

“Until Saturday we’d had the best defensive record in the league so the lads have been doing well,” he said.

“I’m not saying I should be straight back in the team because they’ve been doing well apart from Saturday. But the gaffer knows I’m ready if he needs me.”

Manager Chris Wilder has already stated that Wright will return, however, and it seems likely to be at Leigh Franks’s expense, continuing his early-season partnership with Harry Worley.

Damian Batt is also fit again but with Ben Purkiss performing well, Batt may be on the bench.

Northampton, third from bottom in League Two, also lost after leading comfortably at half-time last week.

Cobblers boss Ian Sampson has been chasing a centre back because Dean Beckwith completes the second of a three-game ban, and Ben Tozer, sent off against Hereford last week, has returned to Newcastle at the end of his loan.

They could, therefore, have Andy Holt, normally a left-sided defender, joined at centre half by ex-Coventry man Marcus Hall.

Josh Parker is on loan from QPR, while fellow midfielder Abdul Osman (calf) is a doubt.

Leon McKenzie, who hit a hat-trick seven days ago, has a knee problem which forced him to miss training this week, but he will be pressed into action.

Will you be our face in the crowd? See Monday’s Oxford Mail to find out.

Don't forget the draw for the first round of the FA Cup takes place at 12.30pm tomorrow. The U’s are No 31.