RANDELL Williams is the only doubt for Wanderers as they face Oxford United in a battle of first versus third in League One.

The wing-back was unavailable for Saturday’s 7-0 victory against Exeter City after a bout of tendonitis but has since shown signs of improvement.

Heavy weather on Sunday and Monday made training pitches tricky at Lostock, which means a decision on Williams’ involvement may not be made until the day of the game.

Ian Evatt said: “I have just had a discussion with Randell and Matt (Barrass) the physio and I’ll be led by the medical department on it.

“It is not my area of expertise and I trust the people who head-up these departments and we’ll speak to them again to see what way we go.

“The tendinopathy has improved, it is just how he copes with the load, training daily and with the busy fixture schedule coming up.

“It is something we will have to look at and manage but I think he will be available very quickly.”

Though the mood was bright at the training ground early on Monday morning the conditions most certainly were not – and with more wintry weather forecast in Oxford tomorrow, the 1,100 fans travelling to the Kassam may want to wrap up warm.

Evatt wasn’t about to start complaining.

“It’s something we have to cope with – proper northern, English football weather,” he said. “We are built for this, so we’ll go out and get wet and muddy!”

Wanderers are without George Johnston (knee) and Zac Ashworth (calf) but have otherwise got a clean bill of health elsewhere in the squad.

Oxford suffered their first defeat under new manager Des Buckingham on Saturday, with playmaker Ruben Rodrigues sent off in a 2-0 reverse at Cheltenham Town.

He will miss Tuesday night’s game but Evatt is wary of a reaction from a team he rates highly.

“You can never be too surprised by results in this division,” he said of their loss at Whaddon Road. “It can happen, and it has happened to us.

“They have had a fantastic start to the season and they have some really talented players, especially in the forward department. The midfield and forwards are very dangerous.

“They play a nice brand of football, having a clear identity and philosophy. It will be a big test but one we are looking forward to.”