Test of character

OVERLOOKED in recent weeks, Josh Law could return to the starting XI tomorro

CHANGES were promised by Athletic boss Stephen Robinson in the aftermath of the FA Cup defeat at Lincoln City.

Emerging after a post-mortem of the costly loss at Sincil Bank - the manner of which left him feeling "embarrassed" - Robinson asserted that he had learned enough about certain individuals on the night to not put them out onto the field any more under his leadership.

So what of the starting line-up at Oxford tomorrow?

This is a game the visitors to the Kassam Stadium would dearly love to pick up three points from, for the first time in Sky Bet League One since Scunthorpe were seen off so impressively on home soil on October 18.

A first win in six league outings may be enough to lift the club out of the bottom-four, depending on other results.

Here, we take a look at the team the manager could pick for what is a crucial test of the character of the squad.

CONNOR RIPLEY: The on-loan goalkeeper has been outstanding this season, so a couple of sticky moments at Sincil Bank don't go very far to whittling down the credit he has rightly earned. There's a special reason Ripley will want to perform well - he played one game for Oxford on loan in 2012 and had a tricky match, conceding a free-kick that went through his hands. He will want to show what he's really about.

JOSH LAW: Cameron Dummigan has not quite hit the heights he achieved last season and given the promised shake-up, Law could be the beneficiary. While not possessing the dynamism going forward of the former Burnley player, he is defensively sound. His knowledge of former Motherwell team-mate Marvin Johnson, who may line up on Oxford's left side, could also work in his favour.

PETER CLARKE: Peter Clarke plays because he is Peter Clarke. There is nobody more reliable in Athletic's squad.

CAMERON BURGESS: The only ever-present, Burgess has had good moments and bad this year but clearly, has a great deal of trust place in his talents by Robinson. The only threat to his spot comes from Brian Wilson.

BRIAN WILSON: Speaking of whom, might be in line to step in for Jamie Reckord. The ex-Wolves man had a very trying night at Lincoln and is likely to be rested tomorrow. That means a toss-up between Charles Dunne or Wilson, a veteran who has been out of favour but who is as solid a full-back at this level as they come.

RYAN McLAUGHLIN: The winger was one of Athletic's better players at Lincoln - not that the watermark for that honour was very high - and he should keep his place on the right flank.

OUSMANE FANE: Dropped to the bench in order to accommodate the return of veteran midfielder Paul Green at Lincoln, the leggy French midfielder will hope to become a beneficiary of the changes Robinson will ring. Three into two won't go, though, so if Fane is in that means one of Ollie Banks or Green will drop to the bench.

PAUL GREEN: And though he hasn't been quite as effective of late as he was earlier in the season, the experience of Green could see him preferred to Banks, despite the latter player's robust form in recent weeks.

RYAN FLYNN: Athletic badly missed the midfielder's clever promptings at Lincoln and it is inconceivable that if fully fit, he won't start the game tomorrow. Carl Winchester's spot looks vulnerable after his gaffe allowed Lincoln to go two goals up on Monday.

LEE ERWIN: Up front, it's a choice of two from three. Erwin could get the nod, with his technical ability an aspect his manager feels is important.

BILLY McKAY: The on-loan Wigan man was a scorer at Lincoln and it would be a major surprise if he does not start at the Kassam. Mckay has looked sharp in recent weeks and it's mainly a question of who will partner him - Erwin or Freddie Ladapo?