MARK Jones believes Oxford City’s rising stars can fill the void left by injury to key players when they travel to St Albans City on Boxing Day (1).

Doubts remain over the fitness of new signing Jean Niate, Godfrey Poku (both ankle), Tom Winters (groin) and Jefferson Louis (illness) ahead of the trip to the Vanarama National League South promotion challengers.

But City’s caretaker manager believes the young talent in the squad are more than capable of stepping up.

“My background is working with young players and that’s something we’re always keen to explore,” Jones said.

“We’ve got structures in place at Oxford City where we’re working with these players every day.

“Jordy Ngathe has come through our youth system to play first-team football this season and Matt Peake-Pijnen came in last week.

“Sometimes younger players will surprise you.

“You know you’re going to get 100 per cent effort from them because they have a strong affinity with the club.”

Top-scorer Mike Fondop returns from a knee injury.

After overseeing a 1-0 victory over Eastbourne Borough in his first game in charge, Jones is keen to build on a positive start.

He added: “It’s just one game and it’s important we work hard towards the next one now.”

MONDAY’S SQUAD

Oxford City (v St Albans City, away): from Belford, Grant, Poku, Ashby, Henderson, Cundy, Davies, Fleet, Ngathe, Winters, Giles, MacAuley, Fondop, Roberts, Louis, Ngamvoulou, Niate, Peake-Pijnen, Gibbens.