DIDCOT Town player-manager Andy Ballard must watch from the sidelines as his side travel to Bishops Cleeve tomorrow in Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West.

Ballard begins a four-match suspension following his second red card of the season in last weekend’s 4-2 win over Bideford.

But with the Railwaymen welcoming back midfield pair Declan Benjamin and Nick Thorne from injury, Ballard is relying on their leadership qualities.

He said: “I bring a lot of experience on the pitch and obviously that’s difficult to replace, but I’ll be there on the touchline barking out instructions.

“That’s why it’s so important to have those two back, because they have plenty of higher league experience.”

Oxford United loanee Jordan Graham also returns from injury, while Ryan Barney has recovered from an illness which ruled him out of Tuesday’s 3-2 defeat at Salisbury.

Adam Learoyd, Oli Thomas and Taylor Janes are all unavailable, while Harry Beer is also a doubt with a shin injury.

Wantage Town welcome back Kai Robinson from suspension as they entertain Tiverton Town.

The Alfredians are still yet to win in the league this season, but boss Stuart Cattell remains optimistic.

He said: “I’m confident that soon enough the win will come.

“I don’t think we’re too far away, but it’s just a case of making sure the players still believe and keep doing the right things.”

Midfielder Jake Johns could also return from a groin injury, but the Freds remain without James Glover (unavailable), Adam Doyle (knee), Sam Brown (hip) and Elliott Powell (ankle).

Michael Alexis could make his first start for Kidlington in their Division 1 Central match at home to Chalfont St Peter.

The former Oxford United and Forest Green Rovers full-back has not played competitively in more than a year, having spent time coaching in America.

But Greens boss Julian McCalmon believes the signing could be a major coup.

“He’s just what we’re looking for,” McCalmon said.

“Our full-backs are our main outlet, so we were looking to get some extra quality in and Michael brings that in abundance.

“If we can get 90 per cent of the Michael Alexis of old we will have one hell of a player on our hands.”

A hamstring injury rules out Ben Weedon, with Charlie Wise, Ben Fitzmartin, Mark Flanagan and Ravin Shamsi also out.

Tommy Castle, Lewis Brownhill and Henry Owen are all unavailable, but Lewis Coyle returns from suspension.

TOMORROW’S SQUADS

Didcot Tn (v Bishops Cleeve, away): from Bedwell, Organ, Longford, Carnell, Barder, Collins, Keeble, Woodhouse, Whitehead, Graham, Powell, Brooks, Tanner, Lovegrove, Barney, Mulvany.

Wantage Tn (v Tiverton Tn, home): from Cavanagh, McNeil, Cattell, Halls, Kalakoutis, Hathaway, Francis, Jones, Ferris, Butler, Broad, Scholes, Thompson, Burton, Hulbert-Thomas, Robinson, Johns.

Kidlington (v Chalfont St Peter, home): from Warrell, Tetek, Alexis, Franklin, C Weedon, Willoughby, Coyle, Gabbidon, E Odhiambo, Harvey, A Odhiambo, Dunmall, McCarthy, Thomas, Quainton, Gaul.