Oxford City’s youngsters will have another opportunity to impress tomorrow when they travel to Hemel Hempstead Town in Vanarama National League South.

Justin Merritt’s injury-ravaged side lost at Whitehawk on Tuesday when missing eight first-team players.

Further injuries to Darren Pond (ankle), Paul Stonehouse (hamstring) and Alejandro-Adrian Santiago (back) sustained during that 2-0 defeat meant that Amer Awadh, 19, and 18-year-olds Matt Peake-Pijnen and Tyriq Hunte were all handed game time.

All three, as well as 18-year-old Matt Knapton – an unused substitute on Tuesday – are expected to retain their places in the squad – general manager Merritt saaying he would not hesitate to use them again this weekend.

“For our young players it was a terrific experience and they acquitted themselves excellently,” he said.

“I have absolutely no qualms about blooding them now.

“We won’t be going up and we can’t go down, so it’s the perfect time to have a look at them and if they can force their way into the squad for next year that’ll be a real positive for the club.”

City’s regular starters also find themselves in the position of playing for their futures as Merritt begins to plan for next season.

He said: “Players are playing for their own personal pride and for their futures, which are all still in the balance.

“We’re playing three top teams in Hemel, Dartford and Sutton United, and my challenge is to see if we can come out of those games unbeaten.

“There’s still a lot to achieve in the next few weeks before we start our restructuring for next season.”

While defender Matt Bevans is likely to return after suffering from tonsillitis, City are still waiting on the fitness of Matt Whichelow, Declan Benjamin and Kynan Isaac.

Marlon Jackson (calf), Kaylem Patterson (groin), Conor McDonagh (hamstring) and Ander Del Alamo (ankle) are injured, while David King is suspended.

TOMORROW’S SQUAD

Oxford City (v Hemel Hempstead Tn, away): from Walker, Bevans, Henderson, Arzamendi, Lapoujade, Fleet, Lafuente, Bubb, Pifarré, Isaac, Whichelow, Benjamin, Hunte, Peake-Pijnen, Awadh, Knapton.