Ryman League Preview

Former Oxford United striker Mark Druce last night signed for Oxford City on a month's loan from Woking and is set to make his debut against Aylesbury United in Division 1 at Court Place Farm tomorrow, writes Russell Smith.

The 26-year-old from Kidlington, whose loan spell is with a view to a permanent move, spent time at Rotherham United after leaving the Manor Ground before dropping into non-League football with Hereford and then Kidderminster where he was a member of their Conference-winning side last season.

However, he couldn't go full-time with the Harriers when they stepped up into Division 3 this term as he was doing an accountancy course and so joined Woking.

Druce has now passed his accountancy exams and is working for a firm in Kidlington. City manager Paul Lee was alerted to Druce's availability when Woking manager Colin Lippiatt made an offer for Dwaine Strong which City rejected.

Lee said: "We have had two young strikers all season and he has a wealth of experience and could form an excellent partnership with Strong. We are pleased to have him."

Centre back Richard Peirson, who had four stitches in his gashed eye n the 1-0 defeat at bottom club Leatherhead last Saturday, faces a late check.

Striker Wayne Cort faces a race against time as bid to make it 12 straight wins in Division 1 in their top-of-the-table clash against Boreham Wood at Windmill Stadium.

Cort was missing as Thame notched up win No 11 with a 3-1 victory at Ford United on Tuesday after suffering a thigh strain in last Saturday's 2-1 triumph over Yeading. Nineteen-year-old Alex Stewart, who did well when coming on as a substitute at Ford, is in contention to keep his place on the bench. But Greg Williams faces another three weeks on the sidelines with his broken finger.

Joint manager Andy Sinnott said: "We have made such a good start we must make sure we capitalise on it. It is early in our season, but it is a significant game in our season."

Centre back Richard Peirson faces a late check on his gashed eye before Oxford City take on Aylesbury United in Division 1 at Court Place Farm.

Peirson had four stitches in the wound in the 1-0 defeat at bottom club Leatherhead last Saturday.

Manager Paul Lee said: "He has not trained all week and he may not be available."

Teenage striker Jemaine Ferreira returns to the squad after recovering from an ankle injury, and Chris Organ, the former Witney Town right back, who played for City reserves last Saturday, is also added.

Aylesbury's results have improved since goalscoring legend Cliff Hercules took temporary charge following Gary Phillips' departure, capped by a cracking 2-0 win at Farnborough in the FA Cup last week. Centre back Martin Shepherd and midfielder Ben Border return to Abingdon Town's squad for the trip to Tring Town in Division 3.

However, Abingdon are without Ben Williams, scorer of one of the best goals seen at Culham Road for many a year during Tuesday's penalty shoot-out defeat by Hungerford Town in the Associate Members Trophy, and Danny Morgan.