Oxford City Stars will be without Andy Cox when they return to competitive action in tomorrow's English Cup tie with bogey side Milton Keynes Thunder at Oxford Ice Rink (6pm).

Cox only trained this week for the first time since dislocating a shoulder against Swindon early last month, and won't be risked.

They will also miss Neil Rouse, who has been released to Swindon Panthers, but everyone else is available for selection for the competition which is run on a round-robin basis.

Oxford, who beat Kent Invicta in their first game, have yet to beat the Thunder this season, but the home and away cup matches over the next two weeks give them the chance to redress the balance.

The Thunder include a number of former Oxford players in their line-up, such as James Roberts, Lewis Clifford, Pete Taylor and Ben White.

The next few weeks see a rush of matches which may well determine whether Oxford stars' progress further.

The transfer deadline falls at the end of this month and fans should not be surprised to see a couple of new signings to the line-up before then as Oxford seek to add more depth to the squad.

Oxford City Stars (v Milton Keynes Thunder): Webster (NM), Thompson (NM), Prachar, Slevin, Carr, Flint, Gough, Elliott, Lay, Williams, Roberts, Crockett, Eden, Plasted, Sturgeon, Andrews.