Oxford City boss Mike Ford says defender Josh Green will never play for the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division club again for the way he conducted himself following his move back to rivals Brackley Town.

Ford was furious after rejecting a bid from Brackley to take Green back, only to be told later by the player that he was unavailable for last weekend’s FA Cup tie with Didcot.

Green instead played for Brackley in their game at Thame, enraging the City boss.

“The way it’s been handled is an absolute disgrace,” said Ford.

“I was asked whether I would allow Green to go back and I said ‘no’.

“And later he contacted me to say he couldn’t play as he did not want to get cup-tied.

“It’s obvious to me that they (Brackley) have got to him.

“They didn’t want him in the summer and after they have had a few poor results suddenly they want him back again.”

Ford added: “Josh will never play for this club again. He did not want to fight for a place and thinks he has a better chance of getting in their side. They have put a few quid under his nose and he’s taken the bait.

“He has been very foolish and while it’s not surprising, it’s disappointing.”

Meanwhile, City give a late test to Michael Lyon (hamstring) for the trip to Bedford.

Banbury United are set to give a debut to former Oxford United player Stefan Bailey away to Cambridge City.

In the summer, Bailey joined Hemel Hempstead Town, but will make his bow if the paperwork comes through in time.

“It would be a big coup to get him because he adds that bit of experience at centre back,” said boss Ady Fuller.

“We’ve done well, but in the last few games we have missed a calming influence.”

Meanwhile, Fuller said the club expect to be fined after one of their fans spat at referee Alan Marshall as he left the pitch after Saturday’s FA Cup defeat against Slough Town.

“You can’t condone stuff like that – it’s just wrong,” added Fuller. “We’ll now probably get a big fine (from the FA).”

Ollie Stanbridge, Ben Thackeray (both hamstring) and Glenn Walker (tonsil operation) miss out, while Ryan Howell (calf strain) is a doubt.

Saturday's line-ups Oxford City (v Bedford Tn, home): from Mooney, Clarke, Martin, Learoyd, Ballard, Blossom, Barcelos, Benjamin, Lyon, Basham, Ashton, Fleet, Steele, Pond, Islam, Haysham, McDonagh.

Banbury Utd (v Cambridge City, away): from Kemp, Williams, Polk, Kinch, Hutchcox, Bailey, Coleman, Youngs, Howell, W Green, Kingston, Woodley, Herbert, Edmonds, Eyre, Fuller.