OXFORD City boss Mike Ford may turn to veteran keeper Keith McLoughlin if regular No 1 Jason Mooney fails to recover from injury in time for today’s FA Cup first round trip to Redbridge.

McLoughlin deputised for the on-loan Wycombe ace, who has a leg infection, against Arlesey Town making his first-team debut a 4-1 win on Tuesday.

That result took City to the top of the Evo-Stik Southern League for the first time in their history.

And now the 39-year-old, who trained with City in pre-season and plays for Oxford City Nomads, could be drafted into the line-up against the Ryman League side.

“I have got to the fourth qualifying round before, so this would be the first time I have been in the first-round proper – I’m definitely up for it,” said the former Didcot Town stopper.

“It’s a good opportunity for us to progress and it would be superb to get into the next round and I’m fully prepared for the challenge.”

McLoughlin, who played for Nomads on Wednesday in a 5-0 Hellenic League Cup win against Easington, said he had got a call from Ford earlier in the week and jumped at the chance to play against Arlesey.

He said he would love to get the nod against Redbridge.

“Everybody is up for it. It’s all about who has the right attitude.”

Ford added: “If we have to play him on Saturday I would have no problems doing so.

“He is very calm and will do anything he can to help the club.”

Meanwhile, Ford wasn’t surprised that Mooney was nominated for the player of the last round for his display in the 3-2 win at Weston-super-Mare.

The keeper finished third in the poll.

Ford said: “He is a lovely fella and he has worked really hard. He has done fantastically well for us this season.”

TODAY’S SQUADS Redbridge: from Rafis, Sendall, Spillane, Haywood, Golby, Trenkel, Bradbury Hopkins, Murray, Gardner, Gordon, Durrant, Robinson, Hepburn, Wood, Best, Wooten.

Oxford City: from Mooney or McLoughlin, J Clarke, Blossom, Learoyd, Lyon, Ashton, Martin, Ballard, Pond, Benjamin, Fleet, M Clarke, Steele, Barcelos, Basham.

In yesterday’s Oxford Mail, we reported that Oxford City had never reached the second round.

In fact, on December 6, 1969, City lost 5-1 against Swansea at the White House Ground.