Oxford City manager Justin Merritt is praying for a let-up in the wintry conditions ahead of their home clash with Tiverton at Court Place Farm, which he believes will be one of the toughest tests of the season so far.

City beat runaway leaders Farnborough last Saturday, but had their midweek clash at Brackley called off due to the snow.

But with more bad weather forecast, Merritt is hoping for a lull as his team look to continue their excellent form.

He said: “It’s a bit frustrating. We can’t even get in for training at the moment. I just want to see the back of this snow and get on with it.”

Tiverton have a reputation of being one of the most physical teams in the Premier Division, but Merritt insists his players are up to the task.

“They are a big, strong and physical side and play the game in a different way to the others in this league.

“We just have to combat whatever they throw at us.”

Goalkeeper Ryan Harrison will be out for up to three weeks with a thigh strain, so former Wycombe stopper Steve Williams deputises.

Darren Pond (calf) is also sideliend.

Banbury United manager Kieran Sullivan may give Jon Gardner a league debut after the much-travelled and controversial striker rejoined the Spencer Stadium outfit this week.

Gardner walked out on Didcot Town just an hour before his debut three weeks ago, after learning that Didcot boss Stuart Peace had given him a place on the bench, rather than a spot in the starting line-up.

He then signed forms with Hellenic League outfit Ardley United, but has now gone full circle to return to the north Oxfordshire side, who are struggling to avoid the drop from the Premier Division.

Sullivan said: “Whether he starts or not depends on the red tape that surrounds us with getting his registration approved.

“He’s keen to get started again and he’s a good guy to have in the side.

“The fans loved to hate him when he was at Brackley, but now he’s back in Banbury colours, they’ll welcome him back with open arms.”

Mark Essex (groin) is struggling.

Abingdon United travel to Thatcham Town in Division 1 South & West, with boss Andy Slater telling his players it’s time to turn around their poor run of form.

Slater fears his side could be dragged into a relegation dogfight if they don’t pick up soon, after last weekend’s defeat against Andover.

He said: “We were poor last Saturday, and the next two or three games are really important to us.

“If we don’t start picking up points, there’s a danger of being dragged into the relegation zone.

“We weren’t up for a battle against Andover, and the players need to realise what danger we’re in.”

Julian McCalmon (ankle) is doubtful, as it Matty Davies with a knee problem.

Didcot Town have signed midfielder Phillip John from Fleet Town ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Bracknell Town at Loop Meadow.

He comes in for the suspended Paul Powell, while Ian Sampson serves the second match of a three-game ban.

Didcot manager Stuart Peace is not unduly worried about their dip in form, and believes it is just a matter of time until they start picking up points again.

He said: “We’re still creating plenty of chances, just not putting them away.

“A lot of teams go through bad patches, and it is just a case of how we can get through it.

“We haven’t trained this week, so if tomorrow’s match is off, we’ll train somewhere, maybe indoors.”

North Leigh entertain Beaconsfield at Eynsham Park, looking to bounce back from last weekend’s 4-1 defeat at Cirencester.

“We got off to a bad start last week, but even at 2-0 down, the game could have either way, but we just didn’t take our chances,” said manager Mark Gee.

Joe Burnell and Ben Reardon are suspended, but there are returns for Stuart Huxley and Mark Simms.

Oxford City (v Tiverton, home): from Williams, Lambert, Ballard, Gunn, Baird, Malone, Savage, Davis, Brooks, Lyon, Faulkner, Faulconbridge, Fisher, Carbon, Merritt.

TOMORROW'S SQUADS

Banbury Utd (v Bedford Tn, away): from Murrell, Stringfellow, Abbassi, Essex, Bennett, Redknap, Travers, Bridges, Forinton, Gordon, Groves, Buckwell, Peppiatt, Sambrooke, Reeves, Gardner Abingdon Utd (v Thatcham Tn, away): from Warrell, Burton, Janes, Smith, Peirson, Franklin, Davies, Organ, Weedon, Austin, McCalmon, Herbert, Biddle, Benjamin, Holden, Beechers, Odhiambo.

North Leigh (v Beaconsfield, home): from Farrow, Dodds, Hole, Huxley, Allen, Jackson, Helby, McCabe, Weedon, Simms, Hope, Sadler, Futcher, Parker.

Didcot Tn (v Bracknell Tn, home): Watkins, Heapy, Williams, Brown, Jack, Dutton-Black, Howell, Mortimer-Jones, John, King, Bartley, Roach, Osbourne-Ricketts, Hopkins, Elkins, Bucknor.