Oxford City general manager Justin Merritt will give Spanish keeper Salva De La Cruz his debut when they travel to Stalybridge Celtic in Vanarama Conference North looking for back-to-back victories.

De La Cruz, 27, who has signed a contract, will take over from Mark Scott, as long as all the paperwork is completed.

“He’s a very capable and agile goalkeeper,” said Merritt.

“He has looked excellent in training and we have high hopes.

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“Salva is good with his feet which is important with our style of play where the keeper is a sweeper.

“We wanted to get someone in permanently, rather than get a loan player in, where they could be recalled.

“He’s here until the end of the season and if it goes well, we would look to extend that.”

City recorded their first win in five matches with a 2-1 success against Brackley last week, and Merritt is keen to keep up the momentum.

He added: “I was pleased to get the win particularly as we came from behind to win a game and we haven’t done that this season, but there is still work to be done.

“We need to capitalise on chances and cut out the mistakes.

“We now need to put back-to-back performances together.

“We have been doing well away from home this season, though we haven’t won for the last couple of away games, so that is something we need to address.”

City only hosted Stalybridge on November 8 when the game ended in a 1-1 draw and Merritt believes it could be an advantage.

“We know all about them and hopefully our players are confident about the game,” he said.

“I was disappointed we didn’t win the home game.

“We scored first and were in control, but then we gave away a penalty, which was so frustrating.

“But there was enough in that game to show that we can beat sides like that.” City will be without Declan Benjamin, who completes a ban, and Kiko Insa (personal reasons).

Merritt was hoping to add an central midfielder to tomorrow’s squad.

Oxford City: from Salva, Scott, Henderson, Stonehouse, Del Alamo, Lapoujade, Santiago, Isaac, Pond, Jackson, Rodriguez, Winters, Yussuf, Barcelos, Brown, Mullings, Wilson.

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