Promotion race: Pompey's rivals

The U’s have to pass the physical test failed by the Blues last month, as they travel to The Hive tomorrow.

Appleton believes he is close to inking a new contract after a successful campaign at the Kassam Stadium.

A win would cement Oxford’s place in the automatic promotion places after they hit four unanswered goals past Dagenham & Redbridge on Tuesday night.

Bristol Rovers are out to succeed against Newport County, after Pompey failed against Warren Feeney’s side last weekend.

The Exiles ran out comfortable 3-0 winners against Paul Cook’s side at Fratton Park.

They followed that up with a 0-0 draw at home to Hartlepool on Tuesday night.

Now Darrell Clarke’s side are out to make it five wins on the bounce and continue their flying form in the lunchtime kick-off.

Accrington Stanley were held to a 1-1 draw by Wycombe at the Crown Ground on Wednesday night.

John Coleman’s side are looking to improve a run of one win in six as they go to rock-bottom Dagenham & Redbridge.

Plymouth also have just one win from their past six games as Luton travel to Home Park. The Hatters were showing strong form under boss Nathan Jones with four wins on the bounce, before they slipped to a 1-0 home defeat against Crawley.

Wycombe have another long trip north to take on Carlisle at Brunton Park.

The Chairboys go into the game three points behind Pompey in eighth place.

Leyton Orient are outside of the play-offs on goal difference as they welcome Morecambe to Brisbane Road. AFC Wimbledon are three points off the top seven as lowly York go to Kingsmeadow.

– JORDAN CROSS