MIKE Ford was full of praise for Conor McDonagh after the striker turned down a move to a rival club to remain with Banbury United.

A full-strength Puritans side host struggling Hayes & Yeading United tomorrow in the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division, with McDonagh expected to play a prominent role after rejecting a seven-day approach from another Premier Division club.

Manager Ford said: “He’s turned down a club who were probably prepared to offer him more money than we can, so it’s a great display of his commitment.

“His opportunities at Oxford City were limited and we’ve given him the chance to play football every week.

“I’m not sure we’ve seen the best of him yet and I think there’s a lot more to come.”

Wantage Town have lost midfielder Kai Robinson to an ankle injury ahead of the visit of Division 1 South & West leaders Hereford.

He joins Adam Doyle (knee), Jake Johns (groin) and Tai Hulbert-Thomas (hernia) on the sidelines, while Mark Burton remains a doubt with a hip problem.

The Alfredians are also without Cameron McNeil due to suspension and the unavailable Aaron Ferris, while Elliot Powell has been loaned to Bicester Town.

Hereford remain unbeaten at the top of the division after coming from three goals down to secure a 3-3 draw at North Leigh on Tuesday evening.

Wantage player-manager Stuart Cattell was impressed with what he saw from the Bulls and admitted his side – who are four points adrift of safety – face an uphil task this weekend.

Cattell said: “We know what’s in store – they’re a very good side. Their form tells you all you need to know really.

“They’ve got lots of players from a higher level and they’re probably two leagues below the level they should be at.

“We know it’s going to be a tough day, but it’s one we’re all looking forward to.

“Games like this are the reason we wanted to play in the Southern League.”

Player-manager Andy Ballard could miss Didcot Town’s home clash with Bridgwater Town as his partner is due to give birth.

Jack Longford is also ruled out for the Railwaymen with a knee injury.

In Division 1 Central, a depleted Kidlington outfit entertain midtable Egham Town.

The Greens are without the injured Ben Weedon, Ben Willoughby, Kristian Thomas, while Wise, while Tommy Castle, Watheq Al-Hakan and Michael Alexis are all unavailable.

Midfielder Jack Quainton is suspended.

TOMORROW’S SQUADS

Banbury Utd (v Hayes & Yeading Utd, home): from Harding, Gunn, White, Nash, Odhiambo, Westbrook, Martin, Bell, Browne, Self, McEachran, Johnson, Sambrook, Rimmer, Davies, Jeacock, McDonagh, Blackstock, Carnell, Humphreys.

Wantage Tn (v Hereford, home): from Cavanagh, Thompson, Kalakoutis, Cattell, Francis, Elliott, Jones, Butler, Broad, Halls, Scholes, Glover, Brown, Sadler, Hathaway, Burton.

Didcot Tn (v Bridgwater Tn, home): from Bedwell, Organ, Ballard, Collins, Keeble, Whitehead, Benjamin, Barder, Graham, Tanner, Lovegrove, Thomas, Janes, Barney, Elkins, Davis, Joyce, Thorne, McNish.

Kidlington (v Egham Tn, home): from Warrell, Tetek, Flanagan, Franklin, Owen, Gabbidon, Osborne-Ricketts, Brooks, Coyle, E Odhiambo, A Odhiambo, Dunmall, Janes, Tooke, Harvey.