Oxford City player-manager Justin Merritt has promised the fans his side will have a real go in Saturday's big match.

Although Southern League Premier Division City are two levels below their Blue Square Premier opponents, City have been in good form and are unbeaten in seven games.

Ironically, City were knocked out of the Cup after losing to Bracknell in the first qualifying round, only for Merritt's side to be reinstated after the Berkshire side were thrown out for fielding an ineligible player.

Merritt said he was looking to players like skipper James Saulsbury, who was a member of the Slough team that reached the second round of the FA Cup after beating Walsall, to tap in to their experience.

"We have players here that have reached the first round proper," said former Thame midfielder Merritt.

"As a player, I always thought I could have done a bit better.

"Being positive in everything that you do is more important than any game plan.

"I want us to take the game to them, without being gung-ho about it. I'm looking for one really big performance from the players.

"You would expect a team that are two divisions above us to be better physically and technically than us.

"But I'll be telling the players that 'you get shocks in the Cup and why can't it be us'?

"It's a good opportunity for us to have a real go."

Merritt, who is assisted by Mike Ford, said neighbours Oxford United, who thrashed Eastbourne in the Blue Square Premier 6-3 at the Kassam Stadium on August 16, had been a great help.

"We saw Eastbourne play Stevenage on Setanta and Oxford United, have also provided us with a report on Eastbourne," he added.

Merritt will be without the services of midfielder Dave Savage, their recent signing from Brackley Town, and pacy striker Jamie Brooks, who scored a double last weekend against Aylesbury in the FA Trophy.

The former Oxford United pair are cup-tied, having played in an earlier round of the Cup.

Merritt, who won't be pulling on his boots, said: "That's the only disappointing aspect really."

Former Wycombe forward Andy Baird is ruled out with an ankle injury.