The return of midfielder Mamadou Fofana has provided Oxford City with a welcome boost ahead of tonight’s fixture at home to Havant & Waterlooville.

Fofana departed Marsh Lane for Barrow during the summer, but rejoined on a month-long loan ahead of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Vanarama National League South leaders Ebbsfleet United and will again be included tonight.

“We’ve kept tabs on Mo since he departed and he’s not been featuring as much as he would like at Barrow,” said general manager Justin Merritt.

“It works for all parties because he gets some games and with Ander Del Alamo out injured and Reece Fleet due to be suspended on Saturday we knew we’d need some cover.

“He knows a lot of the players from last year andWe’re delighted to have him back.”

Del Alamo faces a lengthy lay-off after being found to have a fractured ankle, with Lee Henderson also still recovering from a broken ankle.

Top scorer Bradley Bubb is also out with a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, City are hopeful of having David King’s red card from Saturday overturned.

The defender could face an extended spell on the sidelines after being dismissed for the second week running following a clumsy challenge on Ebbsfleet’s Matt Godden, but will be available this evening.

After eventually deciding against appealing Jon Arzamendi’s incorrect sending off last week, Merritt feels there are grounds for an appeal. He said: “It was obviously outside the area and facing away from goal. With Jon Arzamendi covering, he clearly wasn’t the last man.”

Oxford City squad (v Havant, home): from Walker, Coulson, Lapoujade, Santiago, King, Isaac, Lafuente, Fleet, Pifarré, Sterling-James, Arzamendi, McDonagh, Pond, Stonehouse, Benjamin, Fofana.