Oxford United stars in contention for Hull City after break

Six U’s players went away with their countries, with three – Jamie Donley, Ciaron Brown, and Brodie Spencer – featuring on Tuesday evening for Northern Ireland as they drew 1-1 with Wales.

Midfielder Donley scored his nation’s only goal in that game as Northern Ireland’s Jamie McDonnell and Wales’ Mark Harris did not feature.

“Because the game was so tight, Tuesday to a Friday, you have to keep both scenarios in your head,” Bloomfield said.

Wales’ Harry Wilson (left) and Northern Ireland’s Ciaron Brown battle for the ball (Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire)

“We’ve been preparing without them for the last couple of weeks and they’ve come back in today, so they’ll come back into consideration.”

The Yellows face fifth-placed Hull on Friday who have enjoyed an impressive season under Bosnian manager Sergej Jakirovic.

“We believe that we can give Hull a really good game,” the U’s boss continued.

“We know we’re up against really good opposition who are trying to get into the play-offs and they’ve had a fantastic season.

Northern Ireland’s Jamie Donley heads to the player’s tunnel at half-time during the (Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)

“We know we’re up against a very good opposition, but we’ve been doing all right recently and we want that to continue.”

Despite sitting high in the Championship table, Hull have conceded the fourth-most goals in the division (57) with a goal difference of just five.

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Experienced names in Oli McBurnie, John Lundstram, and Paddy McNair lie in the Tigers’ ranks, with the former having bagged 13 goals in the league this season, the joint fourth-highest tied with teammate Joe Gelhardt.

Hull City’s Oliver McBurnie celebrates after scoring (Image: Nigel French/PA Wire)

“We don’t play opposition like Hull without respecting our opposition. We know that they’re a really good team. You can look at their attacking threats that they’ve got at the top of the pitch and know that they’ve got some really good players.

“We have to be defensively very resolute. They’re really clinical in their work, so we have to be really, really resolute and really aware of that. But we also want to try and excite our home crowd.

“We want to attack the game. We want to win the game. We’ve got to try and score some goals, so we’re going to try and get the balance the best we possibly can.

“But we want our supporters to enjoy watching us as well.

“I’m proud of the group for what they’ve done over the last period of time. And I want them to really attack this last period of games starting tomorrow. Like I say, nothing’s decided tomorrow, but we have an opportunity to go and try and play the best we possibly can.”