OXFORD United boss Jim Smith has signalled his intention to rest certain players from tomorrow's starting line-up against York City.

In-form striker Yemi Odubade and key midfielders Chris Hargreaves and Andy Burgess are likely to be withdrawn from the side although Smith would be looking to give the trio a second-half run-out.

But Odubade's expected absence means the two forwards beginning against the Minstermen will be out to impress with play-off starting places in the offing.

Leading marksman Robert Duffy is set to play at KitKat Crescent although, with no goals from his last eight games and just four since the turn of the year, his position is under threat.

Duffy has scored 18 times this season but last found the net against Tamworth in February and on-loan Millwall frontman Chris Zebroski has staked his claim in recent matches.

Former Cirencester and Plymouth forward Zebroski has hit the target in two of Oxford's last three games and the battle is on to partner Odubade, who has managed three in six appearances and has an impressive strike-rate of 12 from 23 starts this season.

Former Portsmouth and Birmingham manager Smith said: "I may rest players but I would then look to bring them on in the second-half."

The experienced Smith, now 66, began his football career as a player with Sheffield United in 1959 and admitted his old friend Billy McEwan, who worked under him as a coach at Derby, could have a dilemma in terms of his approach to tomorrow's game.

Oxford have already secured second place in the table and a play-off spot while City only need a draw to be certain of a top-five spot.

Said Smith: "They've got the problem of whether they go for a draw or a win but going out to get a point is a difficult thing to do."

Oxford have won their last three games against Stafford (2-0), St Albans (2-0) and Weymouth (4-1).

Smith's men also have the division's meanest defence by far with just 32 goals conceded - 13 less than the Conference's next best with the Minstermen and Burton both shipping 45.

No team has managed to score three times against the Us in any 2006/2007 fixture while the Kassam Stadium outfit have only conceded twice in six league games.

Former City loanee Luke Foster is also expected to line up in the Us' three-man defence tomorrow.

Foster spent a month at KitKat Crescent in the autumn before returning to Lincoln City, where he was released and dropped into the Conference North with Stalybridge Celtic.

But Smith came calling in February and he has since started six matches, scoring in the 2-0 win at St Albans a fortnight ago.

Cardiff defender Mickey Corocoran is not expected to feature for Oxford as the terms of his loan deal dictate that he cannot take part in the play offs.

Former QPR and Fulham left-back Rufus Brevett, now 37, is available after suspension but unlikely to return.


City v Oxford match points

Compiled by David Batters

Oxford have made 12 Football League visits in three separate divisions over the years.

Both clubs have won five times with two draws.

City's biggest success was 2-0 in 1975-76 in a Second Division (Championship) encounter with goals from Barry Swallow and Dennis Wann.

Oxford United's biggest win here was 4-1 in 1965-66.

The clubs last met at York on October 21, 2003 and the result was 2-2. Lee Nogan and Richard Hope were City's scorers and their team was: Ovendale, Cooper, Smith, Brass, Hope, Merris (Wood), Dunning, Ward, Bullock, Nogan, Parkin (George).

Players to have represented both clubs include John Byrne, David Rush, Phil Whitehead and Lee Nogan with managerial links being Denis Smith and Malcolm Crosby.

It Happened On April 28

1953: City won 3-1 at Tranmere Rovers with Dave Dunmore (2) and Billy Fenton on the scoresheet. They finished fourth in Division Three North, their then best-ever placing.

1962: In the last game of the season, City went down 1-0 at home to Aldershot in front of 7,321. A win would have won promotion from Division Four.

1967: Tommy Spencer was the marksman in a 1-0 victory at Barnsley. It was the only away win of the season and City were in the bottom four of the Fourth.

1973: A 2-1 win at Rotherham United on the last day of the season and City avoided the drop to Division Four on goal average. Scorers were John Stone and Jimmy Seal.

1984: City clinched the Fourth Division title with a 2-0 win over Hartlepool United at Bootham Crescent. Keith Walwyn netted both goals watched by 6,063.

2001: A 2-2 draw at Torquay United ensured safety from relegation to the Conference. Mike Basham and Graham Potter were on target.