Rowett seeking balance with returning players

Oxford United boss Gary Rowett has decisions to make about how to integrate three key players returning from injury into the team's busy schedule.

Slovenian forward Nik Prelec, Belgian midfielder Brian De Keersmaecker and Polish wide-man Przemyslaw Placheta are nearly ready to appear for the first time this season.

Speaking to BBC Radio Oxford ahead of Saturday's trip to his old club Birmingham City (15:00 BST), he said: "All three of those for different reasons are very close to being available.

"It's very difficult. If you start with three players who haven't played for a while then you run the risk of having to make three changes pretty early in the second half, potentially. We'll try and make good decisions.

"We have got a Saturday game, a Wednesday game (at home to Brighton and Hove Albion in the EFL Cup) and a Saturday game (at home to Coventry City). So you could save some for Wednesday, but if you play them a lot of minutes they might struggle to be available for the Saturday.

"I've got to balance that off and have a think."

Rowett also confirmed that the U's Player of the Year Ciaron Brown will not be rushed back from a knee injury, which led to him missing the final five games of last season, and he could remain sidelined until October.

"Browny is a little bit further away, more likely to be closer to the second international break," Rowett added.

"If we rush him back after being out for quite a long time, we run the risk of that being another injury. So we have to be sensible."