JAMES Henry believes his return from injury has come just in time as Oxford United continue their brutal February fixture schedule.

The U’s top scorer is back in the squad for today’s trip to fellow Sky Bet League One high-fliers Peterborough United after missing Tuesday’s Emirates FA Cup clash with Newcastle United.

Last weekend’s win over Blackpool was the 30-year-old’s first game for a month after he was sidelined with a thigh strain.

Karl Robinson’s side are in the midst of a nine-game February, which Henry knows will push the squad to their limits as United seek to maintain their promotion push.

He said: “It’s crazy how many games you can fit into 29 days.

“It’s going to be demanding on the body.”

The midfielder added: “I want to be involved for the next 17 games.

“It was difficult being out for a month, but I’m back firing now and can hopefully help the team push on to promotion.”

Henry’s 11 goals have played a crucial role in United’s good form in the league and cup competitions.

But the U’s did not win a league game in his absence and dropped out of the play-off positions.

The midfielder missed the Newcastle game after feeling pain in his other thigh, but a scan this week showed nothing was wrong.

After receiving the all-clear, Henry is looking forward to helping United rise up the table once more.

He said: “It was a bit of a sticky patch, but to get that (Blackpool) win was good and results were kind to us as well.

“It’s really tight up there. It feels a bit different now, we’ve got a couple of games in hand on other people and they’re coming thick and fast.

Henry added: “If anyone had said at the start of the season that we’d be in and around it come this time we would have bitten their hands off.

“We’re right up there and back to performing well, which is the main thing as performances normally lead to results. We’ve got to kick on now.”

Anthony Forde returns from injury for United after two months out, but Alex Gorrin is one booking away from a two-match ban.

Peterborough have no new injury worries.

TODAY’S LINE-UPS

Oxford Utd: from Eastwood, Long, Dickie, Mousinho, Ruffels, Gorrin, Brannagan, Henry, Browne, Taylor, Holland, Mackie, Agyei, Kelly, Sykes, Thorne, Moore, Hanson, Forde, Stevens.

Peterborough Utd: from Pym, Thompson, Beevers, Kent, Ward, Brown, Taylor, Butler, Szmodics, Dembele, Toney, Eisa, Knight, Bennett, Boyd, Mason, Chapman, Jones.