Quinn likely to return against Rushden

7:12pm Friday 3rd October 2008

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Baryy Quinn and Chris Willmott are vying for the centre back slot alongside Luke Foster against Rushdenon Saturday following Karleigh Osborne's return to Brentford.

Quinn looks favourite to return, with Willmott having been omitted from the 16-man squad in the previous two games.

But Darren Patterson said the former Wimbledon and Northampton hadn't been deliberately left out.

"It was just the way it worked out because I was looking for a more attacking bench. Motty's attitude has been first class, as has Paul Evans's."

Another option for Patterson is to play both of them, with Quinn at right back, and Willmott in the centre.

Evans looks set to be named as a sub, with Matt Day doubtful after suffering concussion during the reserves' friendly at Brentford this week, while Eddie Hutchinson is back in contention for a starting place.

Patterson said: "This is a great game for us, everybody's buzzing and been working hard. We must pass the ball better.

"We looked leggy last Saturday because that was the first time I'd put that team out two games in succession.

"There were players who had played a second or third game in the week for the first time. That was my decision, so I take responsibility for that.

"It is a priority at the moment to keep people fit. For the last month we've been forsaking football training for strength work, to build people up, and I think that's worked well.

"Our fitness levels are as good as anybody's, and that's shown by the number of goals we have scored in the last 30 minutes of games."

U's skipper Joe Burnell says the players owe it to their under-pressure boss to make up for Lewes.

"We owe him one for last Saturday, and not just for then, but for the whole season. We haven't been consistent."

For Diamonds, defender Sagi Burton returns from a one-match ban.

United keeper Billy Turley is expecting a tough battle against his old club, one give extra edge by the number of players in each camp who used to be with their opponents.

"Rushden look at us, and we look at them, as being the big clubs in the Conference," he said.

"They had a very good squad towards the end of last year, and they've bought really well, adding some good players.

"They were one of the promotion favourites, and I expect them to be up there at the end of the season.

"I think Daryl Clare's the best centre forward in this league, he's very clever – a fox in the box. He would have been a great signing for us and we tried to get him, I know. But they've got quality all over the park."

Oxford Utd: (from) Turley, Clarke, Quinn, Foster, Carruthers, Haldane, Burnell, Murray, Trainer, Odubade, Guy, Quinn, Hinchliffe, Hutchinson, Evans, Deering.

Rushden & Diamonds: (from) Marriott, Osano, Gulliver, Hope, Burton, Knight, Woodhouse, Clare, Burgess, Tomlin, Wolleaston, Corcoran, Kelly, Rankine, Phillips, Day, Jelleyman.