Captain Wayne Blossom is named in Oxford City’s squad for the first time this season for the Blue Square Bet North clash with Boston United at Court Place Farm tonight (7.45).

The influential centre back has been sidelined with hamstring trouble.

But in a bid to get back to match fitness, under a dual registration, he played for Witney Town in the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division on Saturday, helping them to a 5-1 win at home to Marlow.

And now he comes into City’s squad.

Manager Mike Ford said: “I have had a chat with the Witney people and Bloss is an Oxford City player, but obviously from the outside it might look as if he has signed for them. It was only a temporary thing to get him fit.”

Blossom’s availability presents Ford with a welcome selection dilemma as he sets his sights on City bouncing back to winning ways following a 3-1 defeat at FC Halifax Town.

Chris Willmott and Adam Learoyd were at the centre of defence on Saturday, but Blossom and Andy Gunn provide him with alternatives.

“Chris Willmott was magnificent (against Halifax) and I want the person alongside him to raise their standards,” he added.

Former Swindon Town, Fulham and Wimbledon defender Gary Elkins has not ruled out taking over as manager of Didcot Town following the shock departure of Dave Mudge.

An interim management team of Elkins alongside Richard Peirson and Ian Concannon were asked to take over first-team affairs for three games while the club considered its’ options for the rest of the Division 1 South & West campaign.

Elkins, 46, who was appointed coach earlier this year at the Loop Meadow Stadium, said: “It would be a job I’d like to do, but only if I could give it my full commitment.

“I work in the PE department of a prison, and because of shiftwork, I would find it difficult to give the job my full attention.

"But if the committee felt that with Richard and Ian around me, we could make it work, I’d be happy to give it a try.”

For tonight’s game at home to high-riding Wimborne, Elkins has left out defender Chris Owens, who is the subject of a seven-day approach from Uxbridge. Lewis Noble comes into the squad.

TONIGHT'S LINE-UPS

Oxford City (v Boston Utd, home): from Carter, Pond, Learoyd, Malone, Willmott, Mills, Ballard, Isaac, Sharif, Cook, Stonehouse, Skendi, Basham Barcelos, Gunn, Blossom.

Didcot Tn (v Wimborne, home): from Belloli, Hea-py, Stanley, Henderson, Noble, Thomas, L Williams, Elkins, Tappin, Bowles, Clark, Haysham, Osborne-Ricketts, M Williams.