RYAN Taylor is due to see a specialist next week as Oxford United bid to get to the root of his groin problem.

The 27-year-old striker has been troubled by an issue since August and came off at half-time in Tuesday's 1-1 draw at home to Newport County.

It will rule him out of Saturday's visit to Hartlepool United in Sky Bet League Two and the U's will dig deeper next week in a bid to find a solution.

Derek Fazackerley, assistant head coach at United, said: "Ryan has had a problem which has been on and off since the start of the season.

"Over the next two or three days we hope it will settle down, but then in the early part of next week he will have a scan or see a specialist to see if we can get to the bottom of it.

"We need to know where we are with it so hopefully it will get sorted out next week one way or the other."

There is better news on Danny Hylton, who also came off in midweek.

The forward was suffering from stomach cramps, but is expected to be in the squad which will train at Barnsley tomorrow en route to Saturday's clash at Victoria Park.

Skipper Jake Wright will not travel, but is due to take part in full training today for the first time in a month following an injection on a back injury.