Martinez set for U's bow

Play-off chasing Oxford will hand a debut to on-loan goalkeeper Damian Martinez in their massive trip to Port Vale.

Martinez arrived on an emergency deal from Arsenal on Friday following the return of England Under-19 keeper Connor Ripley to parent club Middlesbrough. Ripley endured a nightmare debut in last weekend's 2-0 home defeat to Southend - just hours after arriving at the Kassam Stadium - and was released by the club earlier in the week. Ripley was summoned by the U's after Wayne Brown joined Ryan Clarke (rib) in the treatment room having suffered a serious knee injury in training last Friday. Elsewhere, Oxford will assess a couple of players as late as possible, including striker James Constable (thigh), as they head to Vale Park knowing they must win and Crewe must lose at home to Aldershot in order to clinch seventh spot.