The U’s finished in eighth place last season, just seven points adrift from the play-offs and will be hoping to go one step further in 2022/23.
Liam Rosenior’s Derby side will be back in competitive action for the first time following their relegation from the Championship, as well as under the new ownership of Clowes Development.
United, boosted by the news that Cameron Brannagan has signed a new three-year deal to stay at the club, have Alex Gorrin, Elliott Moore and Sam Long
available again after injury while Ed McGinty, Stuart Findlay, Ciaron Brown and Josh Murphy are all included in the squad after signing in the summer.
Former Derby striker Sam Baldock and new signing Yanic Wildschut are missing for the U’s and are both likely to miss the first two months of the season with Baldock recovering from a thigh injury and Wildschut damaging a hamstring on his debut against AFC Wimbledon last weeken
Derby return to the third tier for the first time since 1986 – United were two divisions above them at that time – and face the U’s for the first time since 1994.
“It makes me anxious that people think we are going to walk this league. There’s a lot of very good teams in this league, including Oxford.” Interim Manager Liam Rosenior said.
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Former Republic of Ireland international forward and new signing David McGoldrick will be unavailable for the tie:
“Because of the numbers of the squad, he’s got a small niggle, and he won’t be available for tomorrow” Rosenior confirmed. “I’m not willing to risk that and lose a player of David’s quality to the group.”
With 30,000 fans there, Rosenior believes the support can play a massive part for the Rams this season. “They gave us an extra 10 points last season, especially at home” he said
