Cheltenham v Oxford - Legal Eagle Shuffle

I'll be off to Cheltenham tonight to watch the A40 derby and think that this one could be too close to call if both sides play to their full potential.

I suspect that the bookies will have Oxford down as favourites, but manager Chris Wilder will be aware that when the Robins play the way they can, they are a match for any team.

In Wes Thomas, Jeff Goulding and England U-19 international Shaun Jeffers (on loan from Coventry), the Robins have a wily and stylish attacking threat. The midfield is just as strong with Brian Smikle and Michael Pook taking front and rear positions respectively in a diamond formation. Pook can expect some good natured 'banter' from the away support given his Swindon background, but isn't the sort of guy to let it affect him.

Cheltenham are looking to bounce back following defeats away at Chesterfield and at home last Saturday to Bury. After that game, manager Mark Yates said:

"We went out with a whimper but we've got a chance to put it right on Tuesday. I take full responsibility, but we need to grow up and start putting in consistent performances. One fan shouted at me that I didn't have a clue, and he was right today, as a team we didn't have a clue today."

Well there's no better game than this one to get things back on track.

Oxford on the other hand managed a credible 1-1 draw up at Crewe, although skipper James Constable - who saw red for his second booking in the 89th minute of the game - will be missing. When you consider that he has scored seven times so far this season for the Us, his absence might just play into the home side's hands - although co-strikers Jack Midson and Tom Craddock might see it as an opportunity to make names for themselves.

Having said that, Cheltenham have also been missed the influential winger Josh Low who has been out with a calf strain, but has an outside chance of making the tonight's game.

If he does, fans will see two lawyers doing battle on the pitch rather than in the courts as is usually the 'case'.

Low ,31, earned a law degree with the Open University and spent much of last season gaining work experience with Gloucester-based solicitors Iacopi Palmer, but having been offered a full time job, decided to stay with the Robins. He said:

"I was dealing with criminal and clinical negligence work one day each week last season, but the temptation to continue playing proved too great, although it is something I will obviously hope to continue with once I've retired."

Ben Purkiss,26, has forced his way into the Oxford starting line up and may well have cemented his place as first choice right back following his move from York - the team the Us beat in the play-off final last May -  in the summer. Like Low, Purkiss is a bright lad and hasn't given up a career in the legal profession just yet. He told me recently:

"I got my degree from Sheffield University and have spoken to people about the law profession, but football's all I'm concentrating on at the moment. You have to consider life after football at some stage and I did have a chat once with the company that Stuart Ripley (former Blackburn and England winger) works for, but at the moment I'm just enjoying life as a player."