MATTY Taylor is in a group of four Oxford United players to pick up knocks on the opening day of the season.

Boss Karl Robinson had to replace Josh Ruffels during the second half at Lincoln City, but then discovered Matty Taylor and Mark Sykes had collected niggles.

They will not be involved in the Carabao Cup second round tie at home to Watford tomorrow night.

Also read: Lincoln City defeat shows where Oxford United must improve, says James Henry

New signing Sam Winnall, who United had hoped would make the bench against Sunderland on Saturday, is also reporting a minor issue after starting his own mini-pre-season.

Robinson said: "Matty Taylor is a doubt with a pinching of his hip. Sam Winnall’s calf has gone tight with the work we’ve been doing. Mark Sykes’s groin.

"That’s added to Ruffs, Alex Gorrin and Jamie Hanson.

"They probably won’t be involved on Saturday either. We’ll see how Matty Taylor goes, but right now no.

"It wasn’t a great day. It was a long drive home, trust me."

United will find out the extent of Ruffels' injury this afternoon.

The left back was taken off with a knock to his left shoulder against Lincoln City, but received some good news when an X-ray on Saturday night showed no broken bones.

He had a scan this morning, with the results expected shortly.