U’s boss discusses dilemma on whether to start midfield ace last night

CAMERON Brannagan had his return to action managed in order to avoid the risk of potential further injury.

The Oxford United midfielder was forced off at Burton Albion with an ankle problem, and then missed the 5-0 drubbing of Peterborough United.

Brannagan returned to the matchday squad for the visit of Lincoln City, and came off the bench in place of Tyler Goodrham with just over half an hour to go.

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Asked whether Brannagan was in contention to start against the Imps, U’s head coach Des Buckingham said: “The team that played here on Saturday were fantastic as a group, and when you play as well as that individually and collectively, you deserve the right to go again.

“We knew we needed to manage players, and Cam only trained on Monday, so we need to manage him.

“He’s an important player for us in the next two games, so as tempting as it was to throw him straight back in, you have to give players credit for performance, and then you need to manage players coming back.”

Buckingham also provided an update on defenders Elliott Moore and Joe Bennett, with the latter set to be available when Stevenage visit Grenoble Road on Friday night.

“We’re expecting Joe Bennett to be back in contention, and Elliott Moore possibly. Elliott we’ll know for sure on Thursday,” said Buckingham.