KARL Robinson is confident Oxford United will shake off their injury worries for a ‘cup final’ this afternoon.

United were dealt the double blow that both Sam Baldock and Marcus Browne are set to miss several weeks of action through injury.

Baldock will be out with a ‘significant’ knee issue sustained in the 4-1 win at home to Burton Albion last Saturday.

Meanwhile, Browne is likely to be out for a similar spell due to a hamstring injury.

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With eight of the top 11 facing each other in Sky Bet League One this afternoon, there is the chance for Robinson’s side to increase the distance from the teams outside the play-offs when United make the trip to Shrewsbury Town.

The U’s head coach said: “We’ll take stock and make sure this team will be ready. I’m quite confident on that.

“We’re looking forward to the game, everyone around us is playing each other so this is almost like a cup final for us.

“That’s probably why it’s hit us a little bit, because the build-up to this has been so good and knowing what we have to do at the weekend is so important.”

There are two positive pieces of injury news for United, with Billy Bodin set to be available for the Shrewsbury clash, while James Henry could also return.

Bodin has been missing since sustaining a calf problem against Bolton Wanderers on February 12, a game in which he scored twice.

Meanwhile, Henry could return after calf and groin injuries forced him to miss most of the last two months.

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Robinson praised recent recruitment for allowing United to have a squad able to compete at the top end of League One, even when faced with injury problems.

“For the first time ever, we’ve stretched our budget out across the squad, rather than just a group of 16 players,” said Robinson.

“The stroke of luck that we’ve had is our preparation in the summer has allowed us to almost cater for the injuries.

“I think the club deserves tremendous credit, the fact the building process was so strong, we’ve been able to cope.

“We know our recruitment’s been very strong and when you see the team and the bench, you can’t really feel that sorry for Oxford United.

“We’ve still got a very determined group of people.

“Every time we’ve been pushed up against the wall, the players have answered it and we’re going to have to at the weekend.”

On the Shrews, Robinson lauded Shrewsbury manager Steve Cotterill and his coaching staff for building a miserly defence which has conceded just 35 goals in 36 League One games this season – a defensive record bettered only by the top two sides, Rotherham United and Wigan Athletic.

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“They’ve had the highest amount of 0-0s in the league,” said Robinson.

“Defensively they’re incredibly solid, they’re so well-coached and they’re difficult on the turnover.

“They’re fantastic from set plays, they’re coached by good football people.

“It’s always a hard place to go and play, it doesn’t mean you just turn up and win.

“We know we have to perform and we will be ready for it.”