Brown, who was Brian Little's first summer signing after he was released by Mansfield Town, has started Wrexham's opening three matches on the right of midfield.

But with Wrexham trailing 1-0 and time running out at Rushden and Diamonds on Sunday, Brown moved into the Reds' attack and set up strike partner Shaun Whalley for the equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw.

And Brown hopes to continue up front against Oxford.

"I have not minded coming in and playing on the right, and trying to do a job for the team," said Brown today.

"We have had two decent results and it was disappointing to lose at York, although we did not play well.

"I've played on the right before but I do prefer it down the middle as that is more natural for me.

"If the gaffer wants to play me down the middle I will give it my best shot to get the goals to stay there.

"It is up to the gaffer at the end of the day but I would love to play up front and hopefully we can get three points."

Brown unselfishly passed to Whalley, who took his tally for the season to two at Rushden, when he could have shot himself but the 24-year-old hopes to weigh in with goals of his own.

"I took it towards their keeper and I heard Shaun screaming so I pulled it back for him and he scored," said Brown.

"I was happy to do that. As long as we get the points, it does not matter who scores.

"I would like to get among the goals as well but as long as we are winning games I am not too fussed because that is the main thing."

Wrexham opened their campaign with a 5-0 victory against Stevenage but Brown insists that match is now history and that Oxford, who beat Ebbsfleet United 6-3 on Saturday after losing their opening two fixtures, will not be easy opponents.

"Stevenage has gone now. We can't dwell on one game and have to aim to be consistent," added Brown.

"Oxford will be tough and we will have to work hard, get in the box and take our chances, and shut up shop at the other end.

"They are coming off a 6-3 victory at the weekend and will be buzzing so we have got to dig in and get the points."

Little has Kyle Critchell, an unused substitute in Wales under 21s defeat against Romania last night, available now that the summer signing has completed a three-match ban carried over from his Weymouth days, while Wes Baynes, restricted to substitute appearances this term, is also in contention for a starting place.

And with the right sided duo both in the reckoning, Little is considering switching Brown to what he considers his preferred attacking role.

"Wes trains hard and plays hard, and I have got a lot of time for him and Neil Taylor," said Little.

"We are now quite strong on the right side with Kyle and Wes available.

"We have kept Kyle fit and playing practice games. He had 45 minutes on Tuesday to keep him sharp and then he had the call-up for Wales under 21s.

"Kyle is important to us and we brought him in during the summer to be part of the team.

"It releases Simon to be more in my thoughts as a forward. You have to put specialist players back in their right position if people are ready.

"I've not been able to do that the first few games because of players injured and suspended.

"Simon's injury in pre-season gave Shaun the opportunity up front and he has taken it.

"Now and then someone has to do a different role and Simon never moaned. His work rate has been outstanding but his best position is up the middle.

"But when everyone is fit I know where we stand. That's what competition is all about."

Little also has to decide who will partner Darran Kempson at the heart of the Reds' defence.

Nat Brown, ruled out with a groin injury at Rushden, returned to training yesterday and is competing with Steve Evans - given his first start of the season at Nene Park - for a centre-back berth.

Evans has been away on international duty with Wales this week along with under 21 pair Critchell and Mike Williams and Little has asked his match day squad members to report for duty this morning for assessment.

"Nat trained yesterday and we will have to see if there is any reaction," said Little.

"Steve, Kyle and Mike Williams have all been away so we will see what's what today.

"Playing Thursday is a bit awkward but if everyone comes back okay, I will pick a team from there.

"Neil Taylor missed a couple of days training because of his 15 minutes on Sunday. He's getting the odd niggle now and then so we have to be careful about giving him 90 minutes at the moment."

Little is expecting opponents Oxford to be challenging for promotion this term now that they have bolstered their attacking options.

"It is another difficult game. Their strikeforce indicates they would be a force - the fact they scored six at the weekend did not surprise me," added Little.

"Oxford kept more clean sheets last year but didn't score as many. They have addressed that and will be in the top group."

WREXHAM (from): Ward, Spender, Critchell, Steve Evans, Kempson, Nat Brown, Tremarco, Baynes, Mackin, Kearney, Aiston, Simon Brown, Whalley, Louis, Taylor, Pejic, Marc Williams, Anthony Williams.

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