Carterton Town striker Paul Sherwood is battling to be fit to face his former club Thame United in their FA Cup local derby at Kilkenny Lane tomorrow, writes Russell Smith.

Sherwood, who joined Town from Thame in the summer, will be eager to recover from the head injury he sustained in Monday's 4-0 win over North Leigh to have a crack at his old teammates in the preliminary round tie.

Definitely out for Carterton is midfielder Terry Merriman (torn ligaments), while Kevin Lewis (ankle) is doubtful.

Wingback Scott Taylor, who has just turned down a move to Oxford City, is expected to return after being on RAF duty in Cyprus.

Thame joint bosses Andy Sinnott and Alan Thorne will both be making their first competitive return to Kilkenny Lane where they had separate spells as manager.

They will be without summer signing Chris Potter, who faces three weeks on the sidelines with a dislocated toe and a groin injury. Meanwhile, Ian Concannon has quit Thame after just four league games to rejoin his former club AFC Wallingford.

Centre back Michael Thorp (calf) is a slight doubt for high-riding Oxford City's tie at Sussex County League Division 2 outfit Shoreham.

Meanwhile, City have put in a seven-day approach for Witney Town wingback Geoff Neville.

Witney skipper Gary Murphy faces four weeks on the sidelines following an operation on his chipped elbow bone. He misses their tie at home to Beaconsfield SYCOB, of the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division. Veteran midfielder Les Phillips could miss Banbury United's tough tie at Ryman Division 1 club Braintree Town due to work.

Gary Harrison is at a wedding and there are also doubts about Anton Rogan and Steve Jenkins.

AFC Wallingford play their first ever game in the Cup with a home tie against Warboys Town, of the Jewson Eastern Counties League Premier Division.

Paul Hannigan is on holiday, while Danny Campbell (ribs) and Dean Wilkinson (calf) are injury doubts.

Darren Watts, who has been sidelined with a problem related to a foot infection, could make a surprise return in Abingdon Town's tie at Ryman Division 2 side Chertsey Town. But Ben Border (back) and Scott Hannah (suspension) are both out. Meanwhile, Town last night signed experienced defender Martin Shepherd from neighbours Abingdon United and promising Witney Town teenager Danny Morgan.

Abingdon United will still be without suspended duo Mark O'Hara and Wayne Morton for their tie at Chichester City, of Sussex County League Division 1. Jason Maciak (back) faces a fitness test.

Matt Bianchini is hoping to shrug off an ankle injury in time for Didcot Town's tie at Lymington & New Milton, of the Jewson Western League.

North Leigh are without the holidaying Andy McCabe and Matty Jeffrey for their tough tie at Bashley, of the Dr Martens Eastern Division. Peter Hutter, Tony Grant and Matty Ellis are injury doubts.