OXFORD United’s opponents today, Cheltenham Town, will not enjoy seeing Steve MacLean on the home side’s teamsheet.

The 28-year-old Scot has been a nemesis to them in the past.

He smashed a hat-trick for Scunthorpe against Cheltenham in a 5-2 win back in 2003-4, and also netted for Plymouth Argyle against the Robins in a 2-0 victory at the start of this season in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

And even if they can see off MacLean and his fellow strikers, Tom Craddock and James Constable, who have both hit 12 goals this season, the U’s have Jack Midson, a likely sub today, to call upon.

And Midson has struck three goals against Cheltenham this season, getting United’s equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Whaddon Road in September, and two when on loan for Southend.

Oxford are expected to be unchanged following their impressive 3-1 win over Shrewsbury in midweek, with new signing Jennison Myrie-Williams likely to be on the bench.

“He will be involved,” confirmed manager Chris Wilder.

Cheltenham boss Mark Yates may make changes after his team’s poor performance in losing 2-1 to lowly Lincoln.

Centre half Martin Riley is fit again after a hernia operation, and Yates has a trio of midfielders – JJ Melligan, Michael Pook and Brian Smikle – all pushing hard for a recall.

However, Andy Gallinagh is out due to a hernia op.

United right back Damian Batt said: “In this league, there are no easy matches, and we’re expecting a strong, physical game against Cheltenham.

“We’ve got to take that confidence we’ve had in the last couple of months into Saturday.

“What’s good about the group of lads we’ve got here is that, even when we were losing, we had that buzz and determination to do well.”

Oxford Utd: (from) Clarke, Batt, Worley, Wright, Tonkin, Hall, McLaren, Clist, MacLean, Constable, Craddock, Sangare, Heslop, Midson, Potter, Deering, Myrie-Williams, Eastwood, Payne, Purkiss, Kinniburgh.

Cheltenham Tn: (from) Brown, Lowe, Elliott, Eastham, Andrew, Low, Bird, Pack, Artus, Thomas, Goulding, Walsh, Riley, Melligan, Pook, Smikle, Jeffers, Lloyd-Weston, Lewis.