DANNY Nicholls admitted Oxford City will be taking a step into the unknown tomorrow as they make their Vanarama National League South debut at home to Chelmsford City, writes MATTHEW BRUCE.

City have been forced to make changes to the squad which narrowly missed out on a Conference North play-off place last season after losing attacking trio Adi Yussuf, Tom Winters and Marlon Jackson.

The result is that City go into this campaign as something of an unknown entity – even to their own management team.

“The truth is that nobody knows,” said assistant manager Nicholls, who takes charge of the City team tomorrow in the absence of general manager Justin Merritt and head coach Enrique Guillen.

“If I had a crystal ball I’d be England manager now, no doubt.

“Nobody knew what would happen last season with Adi, but we’re confident in the squad we have at the moment.”

Grenadian international striker Bradley Bubb has been brought in from Havant & Waterlooville to lead the line, while winger Kynan Isaac has rejoined from Luton Town, alongside youngsters Omari Sterling-James and Jamal Lawrence, on loan from Cheltenham Town.

City will also retain a notable Spanish influence this season, following the arrivals of midfielders Carlos Pifarré Forner and Julen Lafuente, as well as defender Jon Arzamendi.

Despite the changes in playing staff, City will continue to play the continental passing game they favoured last season.

Nicholls added: “We’re committed to playing an expansive passing game and we want to continue to do that this season.

“We want to be an attractive team to watch and we want football to be played in what we see as the right way.”

While acknowledging that they will struggle to compete financially with the wealthier clubs in the division, chairman Brian Cox is optimistic about City’s chances this season.

“We want to at least make the play-offs or even win it,” he said.

“Justin’s obviously an ambitious man and likes to do things properly.

“We’re not happy to just lurk around in mid-table all season.”

Midfielder Declan Benjamin misses out due to an ankle injury picked up during pre-season.

IN: Bradley Bubb (Havant & Waterlooville), Kynan Isaac (Luton Tn), Reece Fleet (Solihull Moors), Laurie Walker (Hemel Hempstead), Carlos Pifarré Forner (Olímpic de Xàtiva), Julen Lafuente (Deportivo Alavés), Jon Arzamendi (Real Unión), Jamal Lawrence, Omari Sterling-James (both Cheltenham Tn – loan).

OUT: Adi Yussuf (Mansfield Tn), Tom Winters (Brackley Tn), Mamadou Fofana (Barrow), Marlon Jackson (Tranmere Rov), Darren Mullings (Paulton Rovers), Javier Rodriguez (CD Badalona), Salva de la Cruz, Lewis Wilson.