SAMIR Carruthers could be on the Oxford United bench for the first time since October at Fleetwood Town today.

Knee problems have restricted the on-loan midfielder to six appearances.

But he travelled north with the squad yesterday after returning to full training this week and is in contention to make the bench.

There is also a chance Jamie Mackie will be included, after scans on a back injury revealed less damage than feared.

New signing Mark Sykes is expected to feature for his league debut, following a cameo appearance as a substitute in Tuesday’s Checkatrade Trophy tie at Cheltenham Town.

Fleetwood will be without banned striker Ched Evans, while Kyle Dempsey has joined Peterborough on loan.

TODAY’S SQUADS

Fleetwood: from Cairns, Coyle, Eastham, Morgan, R Wallace, Marney, J Wallace, Burns, Madden, Hunter, McAleny, Biggins, Holt, Sheron, Husband, Taylor, Bolger, Jones.

Oxford Utd: from Eastwood, Hanson, Nelson, Dickie, Ruffels, Mousinho, Henry, Brannagan, Graham, Whyte, Browne, Mackie, Carruthers, Sykes, Garbutt, Raglan, Long, Norman, Stevens.