Oxford City boss Paul Lee is hoping the return of Howard Forinton to Court Place Farm will provide the firepower his side needs to climb the Ryman League Division 1 North table, starting with Tilbury at home tomorrow.

Forinton signed for City on Wednesday after being released by Nationwide Conference leaders Yeovil Town, and links up with Stuart Lewis in a new-look attack.

Ex-Birmingham City striker Forinton, who was also at Peterborough United, hit 17 goals in only 27 starts for City in 1997, will play a few games before having keyhole surgery on an ankle injury.

Lee said: "He was prolific for us when he was here and we're hoping he will give us a lift. I am confident he will score goals for us.

"He has a great attitude and his league experience will brush off on the players."

Club captain Matty Hayward makes his long-awaited first appearance in two years after recovering from knee injuries. He replaces Lewis Craker, who serves a one-match suspension for five bookings.

Craig Farley, back from a coaching course in America, is also in the squad after an unsuccessful trial at Yeovil.

However, former striker Jorden Holder will not be part of the squad as he only recently returned from America, where he is playing football and taking a business studies degree at Central Connecticut State University.

City will again be without John Mitchell (ankle) and Matty Whitehead (groin).

Lee added: "When Jorden is available, it will give me a nice selection problem."

Thame United welcome back former striker Wayne Cort to Windmill Stadium when they host Arlesey Town.

Although Cort plays for Town, Thame manager Andy Sinnott is hoping to re-sign him, after he was released by the club earlier in the season, due to cutbacks.

He could find it hard to get into the side which in their last two games have netted 11 goals, with the new pairing of Jon Gardner and Jemaine Ferreira scoring five of them.

Rob Smith (ankle) and Tony Joyce (calf) should recover in time.

Banbury United could be without Jon Corbett for their tough test at high-fliers Bashley in Dr Martens League Eastern Division.

Corbett has missed the last two games to help care for his eight-year-old son, who has a blood disorder.

Kieron Sullivan could return after missing Tuesday night's Birmingham Senior Cup win over Stourbridge due to a virus. If he is fit, Andy Wallbridge will play for the reserves.

Abingdon Town are without a game.

Oxford C (v Tilbury, home): from Benbow, Cruse, Dark, Hayward, Brown, Wimble, Lee, Smith, Simms, Perna, Wise, Forinton, Farley, Charles, Woodhouse, Lewis, Brain.

Thame Utd (v Arlesey Tn, home): from Foster, Abbasi, Joyce, Silvestri, Saulsbury, Williams, Smith, Freeman, Avery, Ferreira, West, Gardner, Jones, Thornton.

Banbury Utd (v Bashley, away): from Tricker, Fuller, Blossom, Sullivan, Allen, Simpson, Travers, Stanbridge, Sylla, Redknap, O'Neill, Taylor, Essex, Wallbridge, Corbett.