Oxford manager Karl Robinson has lost the services of Chris Cadden ahead of their FA Cup third-round clash with Hartlepool after the defender was recalled from his loan spell.

Cadden has impressed for United this season but parent club Columbus Crew have requested the Scotland international return to America, with Oxford failing in their bid to buy the 23-year-old.

Robinson is also set to be without midfielder Cameron Brannagan as he continues to recover from a knee problem which kept him out of the New Year’s Day defeat to Doncaster.

Simon Eastwood, Anthony Forde, George Thorne, Ben Woodburn and Malachi Napa have also been sidelined by injury.

Hartlepool will assess the fitness of Josh Hawkes ahead of their trip to the League One high-flyers.

The 20-year-old midfielder has been suffering from groin pain and the National League outfit are concerned about a possible hernia.

Luke Molyneux is expected to be included in the squad after making his first appearance of the season following ankle surgery in Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat to Harrogate.

Loanees Mark Shelton and Gary Liddle are both cup-tied, while Luke James (groin) and Luke Williams (hamstring) are also out.