Oxford City Stars are hoping to bring in new faces in a quest to tighten up their leaky defence.

Seven of the eight goals they conceded in last week's defeat by Basingstoke Buffalo were down to bad defensive errors.

Stars have already spoken to two British National League defencemen, and one or two new signings could arrive at the club before the transfer deadline of January 31.

Oxford take on Chelmsford Chieftains tomorrow in an important English National Cup match (5.45pm) that may decide which of the two teams makes the semi-finals.

Oxford won 5-0 in a league match at Chelmsford two weeks ago, but Chelmsford returned to winning ways against Slough last weekend.

Oxford will be hoping that Kris Abbott, Paul Donohoe and Steve Cameron are fit to play after all three missed the game against Basingstoke, but it is likely that at least one of them will be missing.

Things are hotting up at the top of the table.

Oxford, Telford, Flintshire, Basingstoke and Chelmsford are battling it out for the play-off spots that go to league winners and runners-up. The play-off qualifiers then take on the top two from the northern section for the national championship.

Oxford City Stars: from M Cameron (NM), A Johnson (NM), J Sinnott, S Ferry, A Cox, P Donohoe, S Cameron, A Johnston, A Eberhardt, B Lay, K Abbott, D Flint, J Cameron, P Taylor, J Roberts, L Clifford, J Grocutt.