TOP-SCORER Bradley Bubb will miss Oxford City’s top-of-the-table clash with Ebbsfleet United tomorrow.

But general manager Justin Merritt is backing his side to overcome the loss when they travel to the Vanarama National League South leaders.

After scoring the opener, Bubb was forced off with a hamstring injury at half-time during City’s 3-1 win over Bishop’s Stortford on Saturday, subsequently missing Monday’s 1-1 draw at Sutton United.

Merritt does not think his side will struggle for goals without their leading marksman.

“We’ve played games without Brad before and done well,” he said.

“We scored two goals last weekend when he wasn’t on the pitch and we looked dangerous again on Monday.

“Brad is an important player, but we’re the top scorers in the league and we get goals from all over the place.

“We want him back as soon as possible, but he’s got to be right. It’s no good him breaking down again.”

Bubb’s injury meant teenage striker Kaylem Patterson was offered his first opportunity on Monday, coming off the bench in the closing stages.

He is set to feature again tomorrow and Merritt believes he has a bright future ahead of him.

Merritt said: “Kaylem has done well for our Nomads side and we thought it would be a good opportunity to give him a bit of experience in a big match and he acquitted himself well.

“He’s a big lad, but he’s quick and can finish, although he’s not the finished article yet.

“It was a good experience for him and hopefully we’ll be seeing more of him in the near future.”

Young midfielder Jordi Mulvany was also included in City’s squad on Monday night, but is unlikely to be involved this weekend as the previously unavailable Declan Benjamin and Conor McDonagh return.

But City’s reliance on youth products to flesh out the squad while Bubb, Ander Del Alamo and Lee Henderson (both with ankle injuries) are out, highlights the financial constraints Merritt is under.

It’s a sharp contrast to their hosts tomorrow, who have spent big under Kuwaiti ownership and sit five points clear of City at the top.

Merritt added: “It’s certainly easier if you’ve got huge resources – you only have to look at the top end of any league to see that – but we feel it can be done it a different way.

“It’s 11 against 11 at the end of the day and they will have to stop us."

“And if we don’t achieve the result we’re aiming for this weekend it’s not the end of the world.

“It’s important that we just keep accumulating points over the course of the season and be consistent moving forward."

TOMORROW’S SQUAD

Walker, Coulson, Lapoujade, Santiago, King, Isaac, Lafuente, Fleet, Pifarré, Sterling-James, Arzamendi, McDonagh, Pond, Stonehouse, Benjamin.