Championship One preview: Rochdale v Oxford (Sun)

Rochdale Hornets coach Ian Talbot could give a debut to loan signing Ruairi McGoff, who has joined on a one-month deal from Barrow Raiders.

Talbot said: “He’s a hard worker with bags of experience at the top of this league, and will give us an extra option during the run in.”

Oxford coach Tony Benson faces a number of selection headaches as he tries to maintain his side’s position in the top four.

Johnny Leather (hamstring) and Valu Bentley (ankle) both face late fitness tests, with Benson assessing their chances of playing at about 40 per cent.

Dave Ellison (broken jaw) and Lucas Onyango (knee) are both out, while Andrew Hoggins is missing due to an international call-up from Germany.

However, Benson admits he has been delighted by the progress his side have made in their debut year.

Benson said: “We assess things by the number of players who’ve played confidently having come from the local scene, and those numbers are good.

“I really can’t separate them from the more established players now, and some of them are first on the team sheet. That’s a really good sign for next year and the year after.”

Benson is hoping to collect at least two wins from Oxford’s final four league fixtures, with his side due to face Hemel, North Wales and London Skolars after Sunday’s clash with Rochdale.