Oxford City boss Mike Ford has urged his strikers to be more patient when they host strugglers Droylsden in Blue Square Bet North at Court Place Farm tomorrow.

With City having scored only 27 goals in 17 games, Ford feels his forwards would be more productive if they worried less about spurning opportunities.

“Our performances have been very good, but I think people need to be prepared to go into the box and not be afraid if they miss,” said Ford.

“If you look at someone like Jermain Defoe. He misses a few, but he has the conviction he will score the next time.

“Declan Benjamin, our top-scorer, hasn’t got a goal for two months, but he got into the box against Corby and was brought down for our penalty.

“We’ve got to get more bodies into the area, but Droylsden won’t just be travelling here for three hours for nothing.”

City duo Liam Malone and Steve Basham return to a squad boosted by the arrival of former Swindon Town striker Ashan Holgate.

Oxford City (v Droylsden, home): from Ingram, Mills, Stonehouse, Ballard, Learoyd, Gunn, Benjamin, Pond, Barcelos, Cook, Stanley, Holgate, Ikponosg, Walcott, Glass, Basham, Willmott, Malone, Mulvany.