DAVID King is unlikely to play any further role for Oxford City this season as he starts a five-match suspension.

City are without the defender for tomorrow’s Vanarama National League South match at home to relegation-threatened Hayes & Yeading United after he was sent off for the third time this season in City’s 2-0 defeat to Basingstoke Town a fortnight ago.

And with just four matches left of the regular season after this weekend, it means King’s hopes of playing again this campaign rest on a late charge to the play-offs.

“He’s been sent off three times this season, which isn’t acceptable, and has been punished accordingly,” said City’s general manager, Justin Merritt.

“It’s a shame for him, because it ends his season, barring the unlikely event that we get into the play-offs.”

City are now five points adrift of the top-five following three straight defeats and Merritt admitted any hope of featuring in any post-season action is fading.

He said: “The defeats we’ve suffered recently have done significant damage to our hopes of a top-five finish.

“We haven’t had a good second half of the season, so we just need to rebuild and strengthen ahead of next season.

“There’s no real pressure on us; I just want to see the lads go out and win a game of football.”

Injuries decimated the City side last weekend as they crumbled to a 3-0 defeat at Bishop’s Stortford.

Conor McDonagh (hamstring), Matt Whichelow (ankle), Declan Benjamin (knee) and Kaylem Patterson (groin) remain sidelined, although winger Kynan Isaac could return after recovering from a knee injury.

Young winger Tyriq Hunte looks set to retain his place in the squad after making his first appearance off the bench last weekend, along with a call-up for midfielder Amer Awadh.

Merritt expects those chosen this weekend to prove their worth as he starts to make plans for next season.

“We still expect the players to put in 110 per cent, try to win every game and pick up as many points as possible,” he said.

“I’ve been sitting down with the coaching staff and evaluating where we want to strengthen for next season, so everyone is being watched closely.

“Obviously everyone’s a little bit down after recent defeats, but there’s no pressure now and the players can get back to just being footballers and winning games of football.”

TOMORROW’S SQUAD

Oxford City (v Hayes & Yeading Utd, home): from Walker, Stonehouse, Henderson, Arzamendi, Lapoujade, Bevans, Santiago, Fleet, Pond, Lafuente, Jackson, Bubb, Pifarré, Isaac, Hunte, Awadh.