Recovered from his floating bone

Darlington will be looking to continue their good start to 2005 with their third win in three outings. Oxford United are the visitors to the Williamson Motors Stadium and the game will give Quakers their first chance of a league double this season.

The two sides first met earlier in the season with Darlington producing a 2-1 win against the O's at the Kassam Stadium. Clyde Wijnhard and Ian Clark were on target that day. Since then a few things have changed for both sides. Quakers are now in the thick of a play-off battle which they could strengthen with three points tomorrow. Meanwhile Darlington have managed to retain the impressive strike force that started in October when the two sides first met.

Oxford United have parted company with their manager from that day and installed Argentine Ramon Diaz. Oxford United's new boss has so far won two games for his new side since taking the reigns in early December of last year. However he has only lost match which came against struggling Kidderminster Harriers.

The visiting Oxford side will be without Chris Hackett and Barry Quinn, the pair are both suspended and head coach Horacio Rodriguez admits that their absence will pose a few headaches for him and his colleges. "It's a problem we have to get over because they are missing and they are key players for us, but it gives us the chance to look at other players," said Horacio. "It will be hard to replace them but we will do our best and we are very confident."

Quakers meanwhile are boosted by the return of Brian Close who was suspended for the visit of Macclesfield Town. Meanwhile Curtis Fleming, Craig Hignett, Neil Wainwright and Alun Armstrong are all ready and available to play having suffered from niggles ahead of their last outing. One major doubt however is Neil Maddison. The midfielder is suffering from a sprained ankle.

Darlington have gone into the new year in some style. The win over then league leaders Scunthorpe was quickly followed up with a win over fellow play-off chasers Macclesfield Town. However before this Darlington had gone three games without a win and assistant manager Mark Proctor knows that consistency is a must.

"We won three on the bounce, then lost three on the bounce and now we've won two on the bounce we are in an outstanding position," reflected Proctor. "And although the lads have generally done fantastically well, we now need to start becoming more consistent and that means avoiding any losing streaks if we are to make the play-offs. If we can beat Oxford at home this weekend then we really will be back in business."

Quakers now have a very good chance to make their play-off place much more solid ahead of a potentially difficult away trip to Northampton Town next week. As always full match report to follow the full time whistle and Hodgy's comments to follow later in the evening. To all those exiles travelling up for the game as well as Oxford Utd fans have a safe trip.

Last ten meetings

2004/05
League 2	Oxford Utd	1-2	Darlington	10-10-04
2003/04
Division 3	Darlington	2-0	Oxford Utd	17-04-04
Division 3	Oxford Utd	3-1	Darlington	01-11-03
2002/03
Division 3	Oxford Utd	1-1	Darlington	14-01-03
Division 3	Darlington	0-1	Oxford Utd	17-08-02
2001/02
Division 3	Oxford Utd	1-2	Darlington	20-04-02
Division 3	Darlington	1-0	Oxford Utd	10-11-01
1966/67
Division 3 Old	Oxford Utd	3-2	Darlington	15-04-67
Division 3 Old	Darlington	1-2	Oxford Utd	19-11-66
1964/65
Division 4	Oxford Utd	1-0	Darlington	24-04-65

Oxford United's last five games