JOE Skarz will miss tomorrow night's visit to Roots Hall in the Checkatrade Trophy with an injury.

The defender was suffering with a joint issue in his lower back last week, but felt it had improved in time for Oxford United's Emirates FA Cup tie at Macclesfield Town on Friday night.

Skarz started, only to come off six minutes after the break.

It is not thought to be a serious problem and the left back may even be fit for the Sky Bet League One game at home to Oldham Athletic this weekend.

U's head coach Michael Appleton said: "He may be OK for Saturday.

"Procs (Andrew Proctor, United's head of sport science and medicine) doesn’t think it’s anything long-term, it’s just something that needs a bit of rest and treatment."

He added: "We’ll see how he is over the next few days.

"Over the last two years since he’s been here Skarzy has been able to play through (knocks).

"We’ve all got different pain barriers, I played with a broken foot for seven weeks and didn’t realise until it was re-scanned.

"I know what you can and can’t do, but because of the type of issue he had it just stiffened up."

Appleton confirmed Curtis Nelson will be available to play in the second round tie, after being left out for the game at Macclesfield due to a minor foot problem.

Dan Crowley trained with the squad this morning, but is not being considered for selection as United's discussions with his parent club Arsenal about ending the loan early continue.

Appleton said: "The club and Arsenal are speaking at the minute, but I’ll leave it down to them to get things sorted out.

"He will train with us and there will be no issues from that point of view."