Oxford City general manager Justin Merritt is hopeful that his recent recruits – particularly Matt Whichelow – will turn their fortunes around.
City, who visit Hayes & Yeading United tomorrow, are on a four-match winless streak, which has seen them drop out of the Vanarama National League South play-off places.
They have suffered an upheaval since the turn of the year, with full back Luke Coulson being sold to Eastleigh and captain Darren Pond out injured, while they have signed Whichelow and James Roberts.
Merritt feels that once the new boys bed in, can get back on track in their bid to make the top five.
He said: “We’ve had a lot of change in personnel over the last few weeks and it takes a little bit of time for everyone to settle down.
“It’s not an instant fix, but I believe it will make us stronger.”
Whichelow made an instant impact, scoring twice in two starts – including a spectacular late equaliser in Monday’s 2-2 draw at Wealdstone.
And Merritt believe the former Watford player could play a key role in the run-in.
“He’s still got to get up to match speed, but he’s a great player,” Merritt said.
“He played 45 games for a promotion-winning team (Boreham Wood) last year and he’s played 25 times in the Championship in the past.
“Once he settles in he could be a big player for us.”
Pond has an outside chance of being fit to play against Hayes as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury, but midfielder Ander Del Alamo remains sidelined, also with an injured ankle.
However, defender Jose Lapoujade is suspended, following his red card in City’s FA Trophy loss at Woking.
TOMORROW’S SQUAD
Oxford City (v Hayes & Yeading Utd, away): from Walker, Arzamendi, Santiago, Bevans, Henderson, Fleet, Lafuente, Isaac, Whichelow, Bubb, McDonagh, Jackson, Benjamin, Pifarré, Roberts.
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