MARVIN Johnson is raring to help Oxford United tonight after a whirlwind weekend spent attending the birth of his daughter.

The winger followed updates from United’s 4-1 win against Coventry City from the John Radcliffe Hospital after his partner Laura went into labour.

The pair returned home with baby Ava on Sunday and Johnson was back training yesterday.

Despite the lack of sleep, the 25-year-old wants to play a part as Gillingham visit the Kassam Stadium.

He said: “When I turn up, the focus will all be on the game.

“That’s how you’ve got to see it. As footballers we’re not in for as many hours of the day as many people are in their jobs.

“When you’re here you’ve got to focus on that, and when I finish training or playing my head will be back on for my family.”

The U’s were impressive in crushing Coventry, but have won back-to-back games only once in Sky Bet League One this season.

It is a statistic defender Chey Dunkley is determined to correct.

He said: “We’ve just got to try and put back-to-back wins together, that’s what the lads are talking about.

“We’ve generally got something from our home games, hopefully we can take that into the game.

“You can never guarantee a result, but if we perform like we did on Saturday we’ll give ourselves a good chance.”

United have to make a change at left back in the absence of Joe Skarz (concussion), with Josh Ruffels most likely to deputise.

Gillingham have doubts over Bradley Garmston (hamstring) and Chris Herd (ankle), but striker Frank Nouble could return after a hamstring problem.

TONIGHT’S SQUADS

Oxford Utd: Eastwood, Edwards, Nelson, Dunkley, Ruffels, MacDonald, Lundstram, Ledson, Hall, Maguire, Hemmings, Taylor, Johnson, T Roberts, Crowley, Rothwell, Raglan, Welch-Hayes, Buchel.

Gillingham: Nelson, Wagstaff, Ehmer, Cargill, Konchesky, Wright, Hessenthaler, Knott, Emmanuel-Thomas, McDonald, Dack, Nouble, Donnelly, Byrne, Cundle, Oldaker, Osadebe, Oshilaja, Hadler.