The U’s travel to Pride Park on Saturday to take on Derby who are trying to force their way into the Championship play-off spots with just four games to go.

Oxford are fighting relegation and are two points from safety, behind 21st-placed West Brom who have this week been accused of breaching EFL profit and sustainability rules.

A points deduction for the Baggies would massively aid the Yellows in their efforts to stay in the second tier.

“It’s not in my control,” reasoned Bloomfield when asked about the ramifications of a potential deduction on United.

Oxford United head coach Matt Bloomfield punches the air (Image: Jason Dawson)

“It’s for other people to decide what’s right and what’s wrong. We need to put points on the board and that’s the only thing I’m focussing on.”

Oxford face the Rams tomorrow lunchtime in one of three Championship early kick-offs.

Whilst the U’s are again in the midst of a relegation battle this campaign, John Eustace’s men are pushing for a top-six finish after also surviving in the league last season.

“[They are a] very good team,” Bloomfield considered.

Oxford United celebrate Mark Harris’ goal against Watford (Image: Jason Dawson)

“I think John’s done a great job. [They were in] a similar position to us now, this time last year, and stayed up.

“He did a great job to keep them in the league. They’ve gone and recruited over the last summer some real Championship know-how and experience. They’ve got Championship know-how throughout their team.

“They’ve had a very, very good season to kick on from where they were this time last year and knocking on the door for the play-offs. So, we know we’re in for a very tough test tomorrow afternoon.

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Derby County’s Carlton Morris celebrates scoring against Southampton (Image: Peter Tarry/PA Wire)

“There are so many teams with so much to play for with four games left. Derby still believe they can get in the play-offs.

“They know how big the game is for them. We know how big the game is for us. There’s lots riding on it for both teams.

“We’re trying to win games and if you can’t win, then don’t get beat.

“The old football mantra, we want to put points on the board, we need to put points on the board and we’re doing that in the best possible way we can.

“There was a lot of talk when I came in the building about a lack of consistency. We couldn’t put two performances together as a team over the course of the season up until January and we’ve been consistently putting building blocks in place and we feel like we can keep building on that.”

The U’s travel to Derby County on Saturday as they look to secure second-tier survival in the remaining four games of the campaign.

Polish winger Placheta has been plagued with setbacks in the second half of the season, restricting him to just seven league appearances in 2026.

The consistency of Stan Mills and Myles Peart-Harris has meant that the 28-year-old has been unable to break back into the team when back from injury, his last match coming in a 24-minute cameo away at Portsmouth two games ago.

Oxford United’s Przemyslaw Placheta (left) and Coventry City’s Jay Dasilva battle for the ball (Image: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)

Placheta has three goals and one assist in 27 total appearances this season with his contract set to expire this summer.

The injury means U’s fans have potentially seen the winger play his last game in yellow and blue.

“We’ve lost Shemmy,” Yellows head coach Bloomfield confirmed.

“He just felt his hamstring in the warm-up on Wednesday. I doubt we’ll see him again this season, which is a shame.”

Striker Nik Prelec missed out on the match day squad last time out against Watford and remains injured.

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Nik Prelec vs Sheffield Wednesday (Image: Mike Allen)

“Still no Nik Prelec,” Bloomfield continued.

“That’s his ankle. He trained again on Tuesday, but again, didn’t feel quite right. He’s dropped out again.”

Elsewhere, Aidomo Emakhu and Jack Currie are both expected to be available, with the latter opting to wait until the summer to have an operation on his ankle.

The U’s travel to the East Midlands in search of crucial points in the fight for relegation and face a Derby side who are looking to force their way into the Championship play-offs in the final four games of the season.

Matt Bloomfield’s Yellows are currently 22nd in the league and two points from safety and have only been beaten once in the last eight matches.

The Rams, on the other hand, are in topsy-turvy form ahead of the late run-in and were beaten 2-1 by high-flying Southampton in their most recent fixture.

In that defeat, Championship Young Player of the Season nominee Bobby Clark picked up a hamstring strain and is set to miss the U’s test as well as all remaining games of the regular Championship season.

Derby head coach John Eustace confirmed: “Bobby’s not as bad as what we initially thought, which is fantastic news for him but unfortunately he’s going to be missing for three to four weeks.

“He’s had a bit of bad luck there at the end, but overall he’s had a fantastic season. He’s an absolute credit to work with and a top lad.”

Derby County’s Bobby Clark (left) and Ipswich Town’s Jack Clarke battle for the ball (Image: Bruce Rollinson/PA Wire)

On loan from Red Bull Salzburg, Clark has played 41 times for the Rams, scoring three times and assisting four.

There is potential for the 21-year-old to return for the play-off semi-finals should Derby achieve their aims in the final few fixtures.

Eustace also expanded on injuries elsewhere: “Lewis Travis and Carlton Morris weren’t on the grass today, so we’ll have to see what happens.

“But if they’re not available, then we’ve got players who are raring to go, so we’ll step up and give 100%.”

Stan Mills scores against Derby County in Oxford United’s first win of the season (Image: Mike Allen)

Left back Derry Murkin and goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström are both doubts and will be ‘touch and go’ for the U’s game.

Eustace continued: ““We’ll have to wait and see on Jakey. He’s making huge progress, which we’re all very pleased with, it might be a bit early, possibly, for him to get a couple of games in, but let’s just wait and see.

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“It’d be great if we could get a couple of appearances before the end of the season.”

Max Johnston has returned after featuring for an hour against Saints.

Striker Patrick Agyemang remains out in the long run after an Achilles tendon injury earlier this month, with the United States international missing his home World Cup this summer.