Oxford United boss delivers injury update on his squad after midfielder limps off against Portsmouth
Oxford boss Karl Robinson is positive over the fitness of his squad going into their play-off return with Pompey.
Cameron Brannagan limped out of Fratton Park but Robinson believes he will be fit, after last night’s 1-1 draw
Key striker Matty Taylor hasn’t trained while goal scorer Marcus Browne’s head injury issues.
Robinson is confident they will both be okay for the second leg.
Taylor bagged a whopping six goals in five consecutive Oxford United wins before football was suspended in March.
And Browne has been the man to produce the supply for many of 17 goals this term, as they produce a potent link-up.
So it was of little surprise Robinson did all he can to get the pair out on the pitch at Fratton Park – and he feels that will be the case again at the Kassam Stadium.
He told the Oxford Mail: ‘We think it’s cramp (Brannagan). We’re going back now for recovery.
'We can talk now that Matty Taylor’s not trained for three weeks, Browney’s had one or two little things.
'So to get those two off the pitch and know they are available for Monday was a real positive for us.’
The plan was for Oxford to carefully monitor their players in recovery sessions before making their ultimate decision on their availability.
Ultimately, Robinson has a belief both men will be in the starting XI come the start of the second leg.
He added: 'We’ll train again (on Saturday) when we’ll have more of an assessment on it.
'We’ve had a few niggles in the last seven days.
'The thing I’m most excited about now is I’ve got nothing in there (to worry about).
‘We go again and it will be an even better game I hope.’
Robinson was a happy man after the tie finished all square and finely balanced for the return with it all to play for.
The Scouser believes in normal circumstances it’s a result Oxford would’ve been delighted to pick up.
He added: 'If this was in the league I think the fans would be saying what a fantastic away performance.
‘We were both coming up against very good teams. I think we’ll all take that.’
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