Next Up: Away to Oxford United

City embark on the second away trip in the space of four days in jubilant mood after the memorable 4-0 win at Scunthorpe on Saturday. The treatment room is gradually emptying with John O’Flynn starting and Sam Parkin making a goalscoring return from the sub’s bench, while the injury to Matt Oakley has paved the way for Matt Gill to return on loan. Gill was on the bench at Scunthorpe but a fine display might mean he earns a start at Oxford, but Paul Tisdale may not tinker too much with his side given Saturday’s result.

It’s third travelling to fourth on Tuesday night – Oxford could have gone top of the table with Chesterfield beaten but could only manage a 0-0 draw at the division’s whipping boys Accrington, so instead dropped a place. Home form has been an issue so far, with just two wins recorded to date against strugglers Bury and Northampton, although the Northampton win was in their last home game so they will hope this has arrested the poor form to date. Manager Chris Wilder is, along with Paul Tisdale, another of the Football League’s longest serving managers, and he has assembled a strong squad that was installed as a promotion favourite in pre-season. Possibly most eye-catching is Dave Kitson, who has been inspirational in a support attacker role. Any side that contains the likes of James Constable, Deane Smalley and Alfie Potter is likely to have goals in it, while David Hunt is a calm influence on the flank with plenty of experience at League One level.

Oxford tends to be something of a happy hunting ground for City, with just one defeat (in 06/07) at either the Manor Ground or the Kassam in more than 30 years. Last season given City’s superb away form and travails in front of their own fans it’s perhaps not surprising that the visitors won both games – City turning in a consummate display in winning 4-2 at the Kassam (Cureton 2, Bennett, O’Flynn with Caskey and Potter replying) while Oxford turned the tables with a 3-1 win at the Park (Constable 2, Leven, with Cureton for City). City hold a comfortable head-to-head lead in Football League matches, 16 wins to Oxford’s 7, 11 draws.

Match Officials: http://www.exeweb.com/2013/10/20/match-officials-oxford-united-away/

Ground Guide to the Kassam: http://www.exeweb.com/2012/07/13/the-things-you-need-to-know-kassam-stadium/