OXFORD United have been hit with a double defensive injury blow with Curtis Nelson set to miss at least four weeks and Christian Riberio sidelined for a minimum of three months.

Nelson was forced to sit out Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat at Fleetwood with a foot injury, but it was hoped he would recover in time to face Peterborough at the Kassam Stadium tomorrow.

However, head coach Michael Appleton learnt last night that the summer signing would be out for longer than anticipated.

Riberio fractured an ankle in pre-season and was forced to go under the knife meaning his recovery will take much longer than first thought.

“Christian Riberio had a successful operation yesterday and he will out for a minimum of 12 weeks,” Appleton said this morning.

“The ankle has been sorted, he will be off for a couple of weeks and then in a boot for a while so at least we know where we stand with that one.

“Nelson is not particularly great news though.

“He is probably going to be out for four weeks with ligament damage on the top of his foot.

“That’s obviously extremely disappointing for both him and us.

“The risk is that if he tries to play through it or have pain-killing injections then he could be out for four to six months.”