Rangers on escape mission

Manager Phil Robinson is urging his players to go into the Kassam stadium with their heads high and forget about the league placings.

"We know Oxford are among the favourites to straight up, and rightly so, but we have to play them some time, it doesn't matter when," said the Rangers boss.

"It will be good for my players to go to an excellent stadium and have a big crowd there.

"It is a tough test, but hopefully the atmosphere will give the players a lift."

Robinson's spies have brought back reports on two of Oxford's opening games, with the verdict: "They are very strong, organised, with a lot of pace."

The manager said: "We are going to keep believing in what we are doing. In the games we have played so far we have created good chances and could have won them all.

"It is up to the players to stand tall, go out and continue to play.

"We are coming into a very tough period now, which will be a real test of character - we have to keep believing."

Oxford is the first of a Bank Holiday double as Rangers come up against fellow strugglers Altrincham on Monday in what is a crucial Marston Road meeting.

Defender Djoumin Sangare could add to Rangers' injury woes as he nurses a groin strain suffered in the home defeat by Woking last weekend.

The good news is that Kevin Street's calf strain has improved and he could come back into following a two match absence.

Midfielder Matt Hazley played the second half of Northern Ireland's under 21 game against Finland on Tuesday night, the Irish winning 2-1.

Rangers (from): Alcock, Duggan, Sangare, Daniel, McAughtrie, Sutton, Stones, Flynn, Street, Arnolin, Hazley, McNiven, Grayson, Adaggio, Manak, Richards, Draper, Oldfield, Hopkinson.