James Constable could be set for a return to Oxford United’s starting line-up in today’s npower League Two game against Crewe at the Kassam Stadium.

The U’s joint top scorer, who has struck 13 goals this season, has not found the net for nine games.

But the team’s strikeforce, without him until he came off the bench ten minutes from time, never really got going on Tuesday night when United lost 2-1 at home to Stevenage.

Constable was sent off for two yellow cards in the match at Crewe earlier in the season, which finished 1-1.

Manager Chris Wilder may look to make other changes as a number of players disappointed in midweek.

“People are falling out of the team,” he said following the Stevenage defeat.

“They aren’t coming in, sticking their chest out and saying ‘I want to be a part of your plans . . . I can perform week in, week out at the top of this league’.”

Full backs Damian Batt and Anthony Tonkin are among those who could be set for a recall.

New loan signing Ryan Burge will be involved, Wilder says, though his inexperience means he appears more likely to be on the bench.

United probably need to win seven of their last nine games to stand a chance of reaching the play-offs, which is a very tall order considering they still have to face the likes of Wycombe and Chesterfield at home, and Accrington and Bury away.

But whatever happens, the U’s boss insists there will be no way that the season peters out.

“We have an obligation to our supporters,” he said. “They’re professionals, and they’ve got to play to their maximum right until the end.

“And one thing people talk about is momentum going into next season. That’s important for us, and we will be better next year.

“We’ll be better for the experience, and better because of changes of personnel. We’ll improve.”

Crewe, who have lost their last seven away, are in effectively the same boat – today only a win will do if they hope to make the play-offs.

Midfielder Ashley M Westwood picked up a calf injury in their 1-0 win over Southend and is a doubt.

This will be Crewe Alexandra’s first visit to the Kassam Stadium.

Their last visit to Oxford was a 1-1 draw at the Manor in 1998 when Dean Windass scored United’s goal.

Indeed, Oxford have never lost at home to Crewe, their six encounters in the city bringing three wins and three draws.

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

Crewe Alex: (from) Taylor, Ada, Artell, Dugdale, Blanchett, Murphy, Bell, Shelley, Moore, Miller, Donaldson, Leitch-Smith, Ashley M Westwood, Phillips, Ashley R Westwood, Tootle, Grant.