Boss Chris Wilder will make a late decision on striker James Constable before naming his side to take on Crewe in npower League Two today.

The Oxford United striker, knowns as Beano, who this week turned down a move to League One side Bournemouth, has not trained all week because of a calf injury.

And although the U’s leading scorer did some light work yesterday, Wilder says that he will have to be completely sure of his fitness if he is to play.

“If he is not right, he will not play,” Wilder said.

“He has a tight calf, has been unable to train this week, and we have a big decision to make.

“If he plays, and does more damage, he could be out for four to six weeks.

“With Tommy Craddock already out for that period, there is no way that we can afford to have two big players – both forwards – on the sidelines.

“So we will make a late call on him. If he doesn't make it, he will be fit for the week after.”

Loan signing Jonathan Franks joined up with the United squad yesterday, but a decision on whether he features may hinge on Constable’s involvement.

Midfielder Simon Heslop says that the U’s squad are desperate to get back to winning ways after failing to beat ten-man Aldershot last week.

“We know what we have to do,” he said. “We know what went wrong last week and are confident we can go to Crewe and get the right result.”

The hosts go into the match on the back of two victories.

Having lost their first four games of the season, Dario Gradi’s side beat Plymouth last week to move off the foot of the table, and then defeated Bury on penalties in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in midweek.

Antoni Sarcevic, Caspar Hughes and Harry Davis, all of whom played in midweek are expected to drop to the bench, with Carl Martin and Ajay Leitch-Smith, who were rested, and Matt Tootle, who was injured, coming into the side.

Crewe Alexandra: from Phillips, Tootle, Artell, Dugdale, Shellev, Westwood, Bell, Murphy, Martin, Leitch-Smith, Sarcevic, Mellor, Hughes, Clayton, Miller, Turton, Connerton.

Oxford Utd: from Clarke, Whing, Duberry, Wright, Davis, Heslop, McLaren, Leven, Smalley, Constable, Guy, Franks, Pittman, Potter, Batt, Hall, Payne, Worley, Tonkin, Brown.