JOSH McEachran is raring to go after making his return to the Oxford United side following a groin injury.

The 31-year-old midfielder was forced off just before half-time in the 2-1 defeat at Bristol City on September 21, and missed the following four games, before returning in midweek.

He came on for Will Vaulks with just over 20 minutes to go in the 1-1 draw at home against Derby County, and quickly set to work trying to carve out a chance for the U’s to nudge back in front.

After winning possession down the left-hand side, McEachran then looked to thread a pass through for Owen Dale down the centre, but the winger’s touch ultimately let him down.

McEachran is back in the fold to start in time for United’s trip to Sky Bet Championship leaders Sunderland, who sit three points clear at the top of the table and have won three of their last four games.

That run includes away victories at Hull City on Sunday and Luton Town on Wednesday night.

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McEachran said: “I was out for just over three weeks, so to come on against Derby, we’d done okay the other night, but I think it was two points dropped really rather than a point gained.

“We’ll take that going into Sunderland, and obviously from a personal point, I’m good to be back.

“I’m ready to play now, and I’m looking forward to Sunderland.”

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The draw against the Rams ensured the U’s maintained their unbeaten record on home soil, with that run now stretching to six league games, plus the Carabao Cup victory against Peterborough United.

McEachran said: “Our home record is good, and just from the way we played in the first half, I thought we were quite dominant, so to let that goal in the second half was a little bit disappointing.

“We’re still unbeaten at home and to keep that going is good, and we’re moving on to Sunderland now.

“We go into every game wanting to win. Obviously, we’ll set up in different ways, depending on which teams we come up against.

“They’re flying at the top of the table, it’ll be a tough atmosphere to go and play in front of, but I’m sure we’ll be looking forward to going there to win.

“There’s not just one or two different formations, there are a few different ways that the manager wants to play, and everyone that comes in is capable of doing that, and we can switch in-game.”