Palmer blow for Stags
Mansfield look like being without Ollie Palmer for the visit of Oxford.
Palmer has a slight hamstring tear and has been rested this week in the hope that he will pass a fitness test ahead of Saturday. James Alabi, on loan from Stoke, will serve the second game of a three-match suspension while a third striker Ben Hutchinson is still out with a groin tear.
Defender John Dempster will complete his three-game ban and Martin Riley (Achilles), Ryan Tafazolli (knee) and Chris Clements (knee) also remain out.
However, Riley, Tafazolli and Clements are scheduled to resume training on Friday and one or more of the trio could be back in the reckoning for the trip to Fleetwood on November 23.
Oxford will travel without two key players.
Captain Jake Wright pulled a hamstring in the 2-2 draw with Gateshead last Saturday and is likely to be sidelined for a month while striker Alfie Potter underwent surgery on an ankle injury earlier this week, ruling him out until the new year.
But defender Tom Newey is expected to be fit to play as United look to extend their unbeaten away record. The experienced left-back had to go off at half-time on Saturday after a blow to the head but has made a full recovery.
Andy Whing will hope to take over the captain's armband from Wright having missed the FA Cup draw with an ankle injury while Asa Hall will return to the squad having been ineligible for that tie.
Source: PA
Source: PA