Manager Les Taylor said he is expecting a reaction from Oxford United Women when they face local rivals Reading at Farnborough this evening (7.45pm) in FA Women’s Super League 2, writes MATTHEW BRUCE.

A lacklustre Oxford side were beaten 2-0 at home to Aston Villa on Sunday, but Taylor is not anticipating any hangover this evening.

“They’ll certainly be up for it against Reading, because it’s the sort of game you always look forward to,” he said.

“I used to always look for the big games and I hope they do too.

“We have a game plan for Reading and we’ll prepare them.

“Once they cross that white line it’s down to them.”

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Striker Gemma Simmonds is expected to return to the United squad after missing the last two matches with an ankle injury.

Reading are unbeaten in their four games and have the division’s top scorer in England striker Fran Kirby, who has 11 goals already.

TONIGHT’S SQUAD

Oxford Utd (v Reading, away): from Lambourne, Cox, Chivers, Bruce, Jaadla, Meade, Osborne-Ricketts, Lane, Pickett, Franklin-Fraiture, Nutman, Stanley, Hines, Low, Pinker, Allison, Walklett, Nichol, Simmonds.