In-from-the-cold goalkeeper Richard Knight is determined to prove a point when he returns between the sticks for Oxford United at Bristol City tomorrow, writes Jon Murray.

The former Derby County keeper has been omitted from United's starting line-up since being blamed for costing the club a place in the third round of the FA Cup when they blew a two-goal lead in losing 3-2 at Chester in December.

But with loanee Neil Cutler returning to Aston Villa, Knight now seems certain to get another chance in the Division 2 clash at Ashton Gate.

"I've got a point to prove... to myself and to the manager, and hopefully I can convince him that I should be in the team the whole time.

"I haven't been told whether I'm playing yet but if I do play, I'm looking forward to getting back in and staying in.

"It's been frustrating to be on the bench, you see things differently to when you're out on the pitch. We've got some decent players here and we should be doing a lot better than we are."

At the Deva Stadium in Chester, Knight was effectively accused of dereliction of duty as he dropped a cross and then lay on the ground following a challenge.

Manager David Kemp was furious that he had not been brave enough, apparently, to get up and get back into his goal to try to save the shot when it came in, and he publicly castigated him for it.

"When it happened, I was prepared to take whatever was thrown at me and just knuckle down," Knight added.

"I've been training hard but nothing's changed I still feel exactly the same person and the same player as I did then.

"I'm not going to let it affect me. I think I saw the manager quoted as saying at the time that, with all the goals flying in, it was affecting my confidence. I didn't feel that was the case and I would have been happier to have stayed in the team. I believe I could have helped turn things round.

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