BANBURY United boss Mike Ford will give some key players a rest when they entertain Cambridge City tomorrow.

The Puritans slipped out of the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division play-off places with back-to-back defeats to Merthyr Town and then Basingstoke Town in the last week.

And after a lethargic performance on Tuesday evening, Ford believes changes may be required in order to keep his squad fresh.

He said: “We’ve played 13 games in the last two months and a lot of players have played every minute.

“As hard as they tried on Tuesday, some of them looked like they had nothing more to give.

“They won’t want to miss out, but I think perhaps they need a rest.

“Over the next few weeks I’ll be giving everyone an opportunity, because I have decisions to make in the summer.

“There are a few I need to take a look at and several who have consistently done well coming off the bench who deserve a chance.”

Banbury expect around 30 former stars to be in attendance for the former players day, while the current crop are boosted by the return of Ricky Johnson from a knee injury.

However, they will be without midfielder Jacob Blackstock for at least a month due to international duty.

The 18-year-old has flown out to Costa Rica to represent Antigua & Barbuda at the CONCACAF Under 20 Championship.

TOMORROW’S SQUAD

Banbury Utd (v Cambridge City, home): from Harding, Gunn, White, Nash, Odhiambo, Westbrook, Martin, Bell, Browne, Self, McEachran, Sambrook, Rimmer, Davies, McDonagh, Carnell, Humphreys, Ofosu, Smith, Bradbury, Johnson.