Oxford United manager Chris Wilder has no qualms about Andrew Whing coming in at right back for today’s npower League Two match at home to Port Vale.

Whing replaces first-choice Damian Batt, who is suspended after collecting his fifth booking of the season, in the 5-1 win against Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday.

Wilder says it gives Whing the opportunity to establish a place in the side.

He said: “Andy’s good enough, the level he has played at. He always says he is not as spectacular on the eye as Damian, but he brings other attributes to the game.

“He has played football at a higher level than this. He’s a different type of player. He’s solid and sensible. And I have no doubt about sticking him in.”

Meanwhile, striker James Constable has a message for United legend Joey Beauchamp – ‘I want to overtake you!’ Constable scored a brace in Tuesday’s hammering of Plymouth to take his season’s tally to seven and 76 in his United career. And two goals today would see him surpass Beauchamp’s mark of 77 goals.

It would place the former Kidderminster hit man fifth in the club’s all-time leading scorers’ list. And 13 more would see him equal legends John Aldridge and Peter Foley’s records. The leader is Graham Atkinson with 107 .

“It’s nice to see how close you are, it’s a good incentive,” said Constable. “It would be unbelievable to have my name up alongside those guys.”

Meanwhile, Constable said he was keen to find the net on a more consistent basis.

He said: “My goals seem to come in batches. I have scored three twos this season, but I would like to get a bit more consistency. I want to score in every game.”

Boss Micky Adams, in his second spell at Vale Park, is expected to name the line-up that started in Tuesday’s 3-0 win at Bristol Rovers.

Carl Richards, who has scored five goals in his last eight games, will lead the line.

Former U’s duo Lewis Haldane (broken leg) and Ryan Burge (knee) miss out as do Lee Collins (groin) and Andrew Little (knee).

Oxford Utd: from Clarke, Whing, Duberry, Wright, Davis, Heslop, McLaren, Leven, Potter, Constable, R Hall, Smalley, A Hall, Payne, Whing, Kinniburgh, Brown, Philliskirk.

Port Vale: from Tomlinson, Yates, Owen, Chilvers, McDonald, Taylor, Griffiths, Rigg, Loft, Richards, Pope, Martin, Morsy, Roberts, Williamson, Dodds, McCombe, Kozluk.

The draw for the first round of the FA Cup, takes place tomorrow (Sunday) at 1.30pm on ITV 1.