Chris Wilder acknowledged the value of a player like James Constable as the recalled centre forward hit a double to get Oxford United back to winning ways.

‘Beano’ struck with a goal in each half to help the U’s beat Crewe 2-1 in npower League Two on Saturday, taking his season’s goal tally to 15.

Constable came back into the side at the expense of Jack Midson, who looks as though he is on his way out out of the club.

It is understood Midson will join Barnet before Thursday’s loan transfer deadline.

Rumours suggest Simon Clist, Ben Purkiss and Stevie Kinniburgh could also leave.

After Saturday’s victory at the Kassam Stadium, which helped partly to banish the memory of Tuesday’s defeat by Stevenage, United moved to within two points of the play-off places, though they are likely to slip back again this week because they do not now play until Sunday.

Said Wilder: “We’re still fighting in there.

“We won’t set any targets, but let’s have a go at the next game and see what we can do in that.

“The players have to show consistency, that’s the key word, and we all know it.”

He added: “Constable needs to do better on certain bits in his game.

“But the boy finishes, and he took two chances well there.

“I think he should be scoring more if I’m honest.

“We need to tighten up on a bit of his general all-round play, but his attitude and his desire to play for this football club is good.

“It was a good win, and my players showed a good reaction after the Tuesday night game. But it’s only a good reaction if we kick on from here.

“The players were a bit tentative at times, but once we got into our stride, we more than held our own against a decent side.”

Constable had also scored United’s goal in the 1-1 draw at Gresty Road earlier in the season.

“To take four points off Crewe is a good feat,” Wilder said.

“I enjoyed the game whereas I didn’t enjoy last Tuesday one bit.”