Oxford City boss Justin Merritt is targeting a Vanarama Conference North play-off finish after seeing rival teams fail to take advantage of games in hand, writes Matthew Bruce.

City return to league action tomorrow afternoon after a break of almost a month as they host struggling Hyde, but find themselves just three points outside the play-off positions.

Merritt believes they are well placed to mount a promotion push as they seek to extend their winning run in all competitions to five games.

“At the start of the season our first priority was to embed our philosophy here and to be fair it’s taken really well,” he said.

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“We had a great start to the season and it’s left us in a position where I feel we can compete with the top teams.

“Our aim now is to finish in the play-offs.”

City are looking to bolster their attacking options as they hope to complete the signing of former Burton Albion striker Greg Pearson.

Pearson, who featured against City in their 3-2 FA Cup first round defeat to the Brewers in November 2009, was released by Brackley Town last week and Merritt moved quickly to strengthen his strikeforce.

“He’s a good age and has 200 games of Football League experience,” said Merritt.

“Marlon Jackson is struggling with injury and it leaves us with little cover for Adi Yussuf up front.”

Last week, City added Banbury United winger Shepherd Murombedzi to their squad following an unsuccessful trial at Sky Bet Championship side Leeds United.

And Merritt said he has high hopes for the former Reading scholar.

He added: “He’s an Oxford lad with a lot of talent and we want to see if he can realise it.

“As with a lot of these lads who have spent most of their time at a pro club, he’s just starting to realise the reality of non-league football, because it’s slightly different.

“He’s here on a non-contract basis, but we wanted to give him the opportunity to show what he can do.”

Injured duo Darren Mullings (thigh) and Marlon Jackson (ankle) remain sidelined.

Meanwhile, on-loan winger Kynan Isaac has returned to parent club Luton Town.

Tomorrow's squads

Oxford City (v Hyde, home): from Salva, Scott, Henderson, Stonehouse, Del Alamo, Lapoujade, Santiago, Pond, Rodriguez, Winters, Yussuf, Barcelos, Wilson, Benjamin, Insa, Fofana, Murombedzi, Pearson. 

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