JON Obika is refreshed and raring to go for Oxford United’s important visit to Doncaster Rovers today after being rested in midweek.

The striker was left at home for the 1-0 defeat at leaders Wigan Athletic, along with Wes Thomas, James Henry and John Mousinho.

It was a deliberate ploy by head coach Karl Robinson to recharge the batteries for today’s clash at the Keepmoat Stadium, where a victory would virtually guarantee their survival in Sky Bet League One with two games to spare.

After being spared the exertion – and lack of sleep from the 3am return from Wigan – Obika aims to hit the ground running this afternoon.

He said: “Every player wants to play every game and us strikers want to go out there and score, but the gaffer has his plan and we support that.

“As players you have to be as mentally prepared as you are physically.

“I’m glad I’m both now and I’m looking forward to Saturday. I’m fully-fit and fresh.

“We know what’s at stake and what it means to the club.

“We know where we should be and we’ve let ourselves down, but there’s still time to rectify that.”

Although the narrow loss at the leaders on Tuesday heightened the stakes for today’s game, Obika expects to be feeling much calmer by comparison.

He said: “I was just going off the updates, but it looked like we stifled some of their attacks and maybe even nicked one at the end.

“It wasn’t to be, but we’re ready for Doncaster.

“When I’m on the sidelines I’m more nervous, because you want the boys to do well.

“We know they put in a big shift and we have to go out on Saturday and do it again.”

Scoring goals has been the main stumbling block for United in recent weeks.

Obika has seven goals this season, but his last came when he scored the winner against Blackpool in January – 14 appearances ago.

He said: “I’m definitely overdue a goal. I was gunning for one last Saturday but now I’m looking forward to the next one.”