CHRISTIAN Ribeiro and Sam Long are now available for selection, but Oxford United boss Michael Appleton has warned they will have to be patient.

The pair have now played in two games since returning from ankle and hamstring injuries respectively.

But with no new fitness concerns elsewhere, it is unlikely either will be in the matchday squad to face MK Dons today.

Appleton said: “They are available and need to wait for their opportunity.

“We have players in the 18 who have been very patient over the last two or three months and we’ll involve them when we see fit.”

Dons are without skipper Dean Lewington (ankle) and Ben Reeves (calf), but Nicky Maynard, who came on to score a stoppage-time winner in midweek against Oldham Athletic, may start.

TODAY’S SQUADS

Oxford Utd: from Eastwood, Edwards, Dunkley, Nelson, Johnson, Sercombe, Lundstram, Ledson, Maguire, Hall, Hemmings, Martinez, McAleny, Rothwell, Ruffels, Raglan, Skarz, Ribeiro, Long, Stevens.

MK Dons: Martin, Baldock, Walsh, Downing, GB Williams, Potter, O’Keefe, Barnes, Aneke, Agard, Maynard, Muirhead, Bowditch, Ngohbo, Brittain, Upson, Tilney, Nicholls.

Oxford United midfielder Josh Ashby will miss the rest of the season after damaging knee ligaments and fracturing his kneecap in Wednesday’s win at Kidlington.

Ashby, who was on-loan at Oxford City, is set to be sidelined for six months.