OXFORD United will give Jake Wright until today to prove his fitness ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Braintree Town.

With centre back Chey Dunkley suspended for the Emirates FA Cup first round tie, the skipper’s return from a back injury would be very welcome.

But with a view to a busy fixture list in the next month, U’s head coach Michael Appleton has made it clear no chances will be taken on Wright.

He said: “We’ll make a call on him on Saturday and if it’s a 50/50 then I won’t be taking that risk.

“If it’s any more than that we’ll look to try and get him a game.

“(Otherwise) it’s too much of a risk in terms of him missing one or two months of the season for the sake of one game.”

Wright has been doing extra work this week in a bid to be fit for the tie.

Despite being United’s captain, the experienced defender wants to regain his place as early as possible, unlike other senior players who have been made to wait.

He said: “I want to get back in the team. I don’t want to give anybody the opportunity to take my shirt.

“Chey got suspended so he will miss the game, it’s a chance for somebody else and I want that to be me.”

He added: “The way the team plays it is difficult (when you’re out of the XI).

“Danny Rose was one of our best players in the first five or six games, but he got injured and hasn’t been able to get back in the team.”

Rose is likely to be one of those players on the fringes given a start, either tomorrow or in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie at Dagenham & Redbridge on Wednesday.

Striker Patrick Hoban and winger Callum O’Dowda are also in the frame, with Appleton likely to give key players such as Liam Sercombe and Kemar Roofe a break.

New signing Cameron Gayle will make his debut at full back, although which side he plays is likely to depend on Wright’s fitness, as Joe Skarz could be shifted to play at centre half.

Braintree, who have lost once in their last seven games, are without striker Simeon Akinola (hamstring), but full back Sam Habergham is available after suspension.

Loanee Sammie Szmodics is not down to play, but if parent club Colchester United lose their tie at Wealdstone today, the midfielder is likely to be given permission to feature.

TOMORROW’S SQUADS

Braintree Tn: Norris, Clerima, Paine, Fry, Habergham, Isaac, Phillips, Davis, Sparkes, Woodyard, Cheek, Edgar, Marks, List, Brundle, Cole, Miles.

Oxford Utd: Buchel, Baldock, Mullins, Skarz, Gayle, O’Dowda, Ashby, Rose, MacDonald, Hylton, Hoban, Taylor, Roofe, George, Sercombe, Wright, Cundy, Slocombe.