Oxford United head coach Des Buckingham welcomes back three players from injury as they prepare for 11 league games in the next six weeks.

Cameron Brannagan, Matt Phillips and Przemyslaw Placheta will all be in the squad for Saturday’s Championship match at home to Middlesbrough.

“We’ve spoken about building depth in the squad but we didn’t expect it to be tested as early this season,” Buckingham told BBC Radio Oxford.

“We’ve had to go away from how we play, change shape and it takes some time to get to where you want to get. The players have adapted to it really well but having players back gives us more choice and options.”

Oxford follow the game against Middlesbrough with a trip to second-placed Sheffield United and a home meeting with in-form Millwall.

“I’m sure the fans are looking forward to having no more international breaks and we’ve got 23 games to play before the next one,” added Buckingham.

“We’ve prepared for it in terms of recruitment and how we train the players. It’s going to be important how we manage the group we have and it’s nice to have three back, but we don’t want to lose any.”