CALLUM O’Dowda could make his first start of the season as Oxford United visit Mansfield Town this afternoon.

The 20-year-old starred after coming off the bench against Notts County on Tuesday, scoring one goal and setting up another in the 3-1 victory.

When asked whether O’Dowda had done enough to get into the XI, U’s boss Michael Appleton said: “He probably feels he has, so watch this space.

“At the end of the day you can’t deny the kid has come on and done fantastically.

“We have been holding him back a little bit and he has been coming on and doing OK.

“I’ve asked those who have come on to make a difference and the lads who have done this year have made an impact.”

United have everyone available, so Appleton’s main decision will be whether to pick one of Patrick Hoban or Ryan Taylor up front, or use Kemar Roofe through the middle, which worked well against County.

If it is the latter, then O’Dowda and Alex MacDonald could both play, rather than battling for one place.

Mansfield are expected to recall ex-U’s forward Matt Green, who was left out of their 1-0 defeat at Accrington Stanley on Tuesday with a bad back.

No 1 goalkeeper Scott Shearer has recovered from an ankle problem, but boss Adam Murray could stick with 40-year-old Brian Jensen, who has performed well in the last two games.

TODAY’S SQUADS

Mansfield Tn: from Jensen, Hunt, Tafazolli, Pearce, Benning, Chapman, Rose, Lambe, Clements, N Thomas, Green, Beardsley, Yussuf, Westcarr, Fitzpatrick, Caton, McGuire, J Thomas, Marsden, Shearer.

Oxford Utd: from Slocombe, Baldock, Mullins, Wright, Skarz, Roofe, Sercombe, Rose, MacDonald, Hylton, Hoban, Taylor, O’Dowda, Lundstram, Ruffels, Long, Dunkley, Crocombe.