Oxford City player-manager Justin Merritt has challenged Ryan Brooks to start realising his potential when they travel to Rugby Town on Saturday looking to boost their British Gas Business Southern League Premier Division play-off hopes.

Brooks, the younger brother of City winger Jamie, is set to make his debut after signing from Hellenic League side Witney United.

Merritt is a long-time admirer of Brooks, who was released by United in 2006.

“He’s got good ability and hopefully he can get his head right,” said Merrritt, whose side thrashed Garsington 8-0 in the Senior Cup in midweek.

“He has a lot of potential, but I think he has lost his way a bit.

“Hopefully, we can get him working as part of the team. He’s been at Witney, where he’s been in and out of the side.”

Merritt, who said Brooks will still be registered with Witney, added: “I tried to sign him a few seasons ago and he went to Abingdon United instead. “He’s got this opportunity and I’m looking for him to make the most of it.”

Merritt added: “Rugby are scrapping for points near the bottom of the table and we need to get our approach right.”

Meanwhile, Jamie Brooks will see a consultant surgeon about his troublesome knee after a scan revealed a possible cartilage problem.

Didcot Town boss Stuart Peace says his Division 1 South & West play-off challengers have to find that killer instinct at home – starting with the visit to Loop Meadow of Paulton Rovers.

He said: “We have lost too many points at home, but in tight matches we seem to miss our chances. We need to kill teams off.

“We have got two home games (they play Bashley on Tuesday) against sides who have an outside chance of making the play-offs and it’s vital we put daylight between us if we want to be up there.”

Didcot will be without striker Michael Bartley (back injury), but Ian Sampson returns.

Keeper Michael Watkins (groin) and Josh Dutton-Black (knee) are doubts.

North Leigh will be at full strength when they host Gosport Borough.

They have signed striker Kieran Davis from Hellenic League side Clanfield, though boss Mark Gee said he won’t start and will play for the reserves.

Abingdon United manager Andy Slater says his side have nothing to lose on their 430-mile round trip to face Truro.

Slater, whose side are staying overnight, said: “They have picked up and it will be a big challenge.

“But in our last two games we should have got something from both. Against Uxbridge (they lost 2-1) we played them off the park in the first half.

“We need a complete performance, not just for a half. ”

Banbury United travel to Premier Division leaders Farnborough.

The semi-final draw for the Oxfordshire Senior Cup will take place on Saturday.

Saturday's squads Oxford City (v Rugby Tn, away): from Williams, Lambert, Davis, Gunn, Pond, Savage, Lyon, Malone, Faulkner, Baird, Bell, Faulconbridge, Carbon, Brooks, Rendell, Merritt.

Banbury Utd (v Farnborough, away): from Murrell, Stringfellow, Kelly, Buckwell, Bennett, Stanbridge, Forinton, Gordon Redknap, Abassi, Peppiatt, Reeves, Wheeler.

North Leigh (v Gosport Borough, away): Farrow, Weedon, Sadler, Futcher, Parker, Jackson, Huxley, Dodds, Hole, Burnell, Hope, McCabe, Helby, Allen, Merriman.

Didcot Tn (v Paulton, home): from Watkins, Heapy, King, Williams, Brown, Jack, Dutton-Black, Mortimer-Jones, John, Powell, Roach, Osbourne-Ricketts, Howell, Buckner, Hopkins, Sampson.

Abingdon Utd (v Truro City away): from Warrell, Burton, Organ, Peirson, Franklin, McCalmon, Holden, Herbert, Beechers, Odhiambo, Janes, Benjamin, Biddle, Weedon.