GENERAL manager Justin Merritt believes his new arrivals on loan from Oxford United can help to steer Oxford City away from the foot of the Vanarama National League South table.

Jonny Giles, Josh Ashby and James Roberts were part of a five-strong United contingent in the City side which ended their seven-match winless streak with a 3-1 victory at high-flying Bath City on Tuesday.

The trio, along with Robbie Cundy and Jack Stevens, who were already on loan to City from United, will look to build on that victory tomorrow at home to Truro City.

Merritt feels the arrangement could prove mutually beneficial.

“I’m really grateful to Oxford United and to (secretary) Mick Brown in particular for their help,” he said.

“We’ve got a few injuries at the moment and a few others are not performing as well as they can, so we needed a few fresh faces in.

“We’ll look after them well and they’ll get some valuable experience with us, so it goes both ways.”

With centre back Lee Henderson expected to be out for several weeks with a broken finger and wide man Shaun MacAuley sidelined with a hamstring injury, sourcing replacements became Merritt’s top priority.

City’s general manager was drafted back in to take charge of first team matters this week after joint manager Danny Nicholls stepped down.

Merritt admitted he was sorry to see his former assistant leave the club.

“We’ve tried to structure things a little differently this season,” he said.

“It’s been an unstable period for the club off the pitch and it’s required a lot of my time.

“Danny took the reins of the first team, but he informed me after the Eastbourne game that things weren’t going the way he wanted them to and that he needed a break.

“Danny’s been a big part of a good period for the club over the last two years and we’ve left the door open.”

TOMORROW’S SQUAD

Oxford City (v Truro City, home): from Stevens, Grant, Poku, West, Cundy, Neto, Isaac, Fleet, McDonagh, Ofosu, Davies, Soares, Ngathe, Patterson, Winters, Giles, Roberts, Ashby.