Oxford City striker Steve Basham could return from three months on the sidelines in the quarter-final against Banbury United at Marsh Lane tonight.

The 36-year-old hasn’t played since November 2 when City lost 3-2 at Harrogate Town in Skrill North, but is raring to go after recovering from a calf problem.

“He’s had an injury, but he could well play some part in the game,” said Ford.

“Steve’s been back training for the past week or so, and if he’s ready then we’ll chuck him in.”

Ford is optimistic that the pitch will not need an inspection ahead of the clash.

“I’m more hopeful than I was ahead of the Telford game (which was called off on Friday),” he said.

Banbury will be without their ex-City striker Kynan Isaac, who is suspended.

Oxford City: from Scott, Benjamin, Stonehouse, Pook, Henderson, Willmott, Bell, Pond, Jackson, Cook, Winters, Malone, McEachran, Symons, Learoyd, Ballard, Joyce, West.

Thame United will be seeking to make it third time lucky when they host Oxford United.

The tie has been postponed twice because of a waterlogged pitch, but officials are hopeful that the Meadow View Park playing surface will be fit.

Mark West’s Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division side will face a U’s line-up featuring a mixture of first-team players, development squad and under 18 players.

Youth team boss Chris Allen will take charge of the United line-up in the absence of caretaker manager Mickey Lewis and first-team coach Andy Melville, who are away scouting.

Thame will be without top-scorer Niall Hodgkins, who is out for the rest of the season with a dislocated elbow.