CALLUM O'Dowda and Alex MacDonald made a very welcome return to Oxford United training this morning to ease the squad's injury worries.

But it is not all good news, with Jordan Evans ruled out for the season after it was confirmed he had cracked a rib in Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Newport County.

There is also a new problem for striker Jordan Bowery, who is likely to miss Saturday's crunch home game with Hartlepool United due to a groin injury.

Kemar Roofe and John Lundstram did not take part in training today due to ankle injuries, but could take part tomorrow as they bid to be fit in time for the weekend.

It is mixed news, but U's head coach Michael Appleton - who has been struggling with a sore throat himself this week - was delighted to see the pair of wingers return after missing two games with tonsillitis.

Speaking this morning, he said: "I’d be very surprised if Callum and Macca are going to do a full session, but just to get them back on the training field is a good sign from our point of view.

"We’ll see how they react overnight and assess them to see whether they’re available to be in the squad for Saturday.

"Roofey won’t be involved today, but he possibly could train tomorrow with a view to being involved on Saturday.

"That would depend on the pre-hab and rehab he does with the physios.

"Lundstram again is out on the pitches with Scott and Procs doing some pre-hab work, with possibly a chance of training on Friday.

"That would give him a chance of being involved against Hartlepool.

"Evans is out of the season - it is a fractured rib.

"Luckily it didn’t pierce a lung. He had a scan yesterday and it’s a six-week job."

OXFORD UNITED'S LATEST INJURY & ILLNESS DOUBTS

  • Callum O'Dowda & Alex MacDonald - trained for the first time this morning since being laid low with tonsillitis. In the frame for Saturday's squad.
  • Kemar Roofe & John Lundstram - doing rehab work on ankle injuries today with a chance of training tomorrow.
  • Jordan Evans - out for the season with a fractured rib.
  • Jordan Bowery - has a minor groin injury and is expected to miss Saturday's game.
  • Sam Long - could be available to train on Monday following a hip problem.