OXFORD United are preparing to come up against Ricky Holmes tomorrow, despite Gillingham boss Steve Lovell claiming he will not be fit to play.

The winger (pictured) spent the first half of the season with the U’s, who cut short his loan due to back problems.

Gillingham took a gamble on deadline day despite knowing the 31-year-old was several weeks away from a return.

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And although tomorrow’s game at Priestfield was the target, Lovell believes it will not be worth the risk.

He told Kent Online: “With Ricky, it could be that all of a sudden he’s right to go but it’s an injury we’ve really got to be careful on and make sure he’s 120 per cent right to play because we don’t want him to have a recurrence.”

Robinson, who admitted Holmes’s move to the Kent club was a surprise, is not so sure.

He said: “It was one that shocked me, but he still feels he’s got minutes left in him this season.

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“We will plan and prepare as if he is available. We know his strengths and weaknesses.

“Everyone knows what I think of Ricky. We were all devastated with what happened to him here.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if he was in the squad (tomorrow).”