MIKE Ford paid tribute to departing captain Andy Gunn after his surprise release by Banbury United.

Gunn, who is returning to North Leigh, was voted player of the season last year and Ford admitted it had been a difficult decision to make.

The Banbury boss said: “I’m full of admiration for the way he’s conducted himself throughout his time here.

“He was one of my first signings and I made him captain immediately and he did fantastically well.

“But we have younger players coming through who are looking to take us forward and Andy’s going to find his chances limited.”

North Leigh manager John Brough said Gunn had slotted in seamlessly, having enjoyed a previous spell with the club.

“Andy came in for training on Tuesday and just blended in straight away,” said Brough.

“He still knows a lot of the players from when he was here before and he comes here with good pedigree after getting promoted last year.”

Ricky Johnson will wear the armband when Banbury entertain St Ives Town tomorrow in the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division.

Dutch striker Manny Duku could make his first start, having impressed after coming off the bench in last week’s 1-1 draw with Weymouth.

“I certainly saw enough from him on Saturday to think he will make a difference,” Ford said.

“He’s unpredictable and does things off the cuff and that makes defenders uncomfortable.”

Gunn could figure for North Leigh when they host Larkhall Athletic in Division 1 South & West.

Goalkeeper Manny Agboola returns to the Millers squad and is joined by fellow Oxford United loanee Malachi Napa, while Jamie Cook is also hopeful of a return from a back injury.

However, centre-back Jon Else has left the club to sign for Swindon Supermarine.

Goalkeeper Leigh Bedwell returns from suspension as Didcot Town travel to AFC Totton.

However, player-manager Andy Ballard revealed Bedwell may have to wait after being impressed by 18-year-old replacement Harry Whitehead.

“It gives me a bit of a headache, because Harry has come in and done fantastically well,” Ballard said.

“In my opinion, Leigh is the best goalkeeper in this division and for him to potentially be kept out shows how well Harry has done.”

Midfielder Taylor Janes is out with a calf injury, joining Ryan Barney (hamstring) on the sidelines.

Wantage Town are without the suspended Sam Mason as they welcome Shortwood United.

However, Dan Sadler and Mark Burton both return to the squad.

Manager Ben Sadler believes his side have a strong chance of collecting just a third league victory this season.

“It’s exactly the kind of game we want to play,” he said.

“They’ve hardly won any games lately, they’re midtable and they’ve got nothing to play for.

“We’ve been playing really well, especially against the better teams and if we play like we did last week (a 2-0 defeat to second-placed Tiverton Town) or against Bideford (a 2-1 victory) I’m confident we’ll get something out of the game.”

Top scorer Anaclet Odhiambo is missing as Kidlington host Uxbridge in Division 1 Central.

Mark Flanagan (suspended), Henry Owen (ribs) Kristian Thomas, Chris Weedon and Lewis Gabbidon (all knee) are out, but Tommy Castle and Wahteq al-Hakem return.

The Greens, who this week announced a new £22,000 ground grading scheme which will see the erection of a new 100-seater stand, are on a run of four successive league victories without conceding.

“We’re doing very well at the moment and working hard,” said manager Julian McCalmon.

“We’re not playing the most attractive football, but we’re becoming a collective unit and it’s hard for teams to break down.

“I’ve got absolutely no complaints with them at the moment.”

TOMORROW’S SQUADS

Banbury Utd (v St Ives Tn, home): from Harding, White, Nash, Odhiambo, Westbrook, Martin, Browne, Self, McEachran, Sambrook, Rimmer, Davies, McDonagh, Carnell, Humphreys, Ofosu, Smith, Bradbury, Johnson, Keranovic, Winters, Duku.

North Leigh (v Larkhall Ath, home): from Agboola, White, Fawke, Murphy, Hole, Hopkins, M Williams, L Williams, R James, D James, Wrona, Lymn, Wellon, Sysum, Seacole, Cook, Gunn.

Didcot Tn (v AFC Totton, away): from H Whitehead, Ballard, Learoyd, Collins, Keeble, Barder, R Tanner, Lovegrove, Thomas, Elkins, Joyce, McNish, Thorne, B Whitehead, Tatford, Cattell, Andrady, Hoskins, Organ, Jeacock, Longford, J Tanner, Bedwell.

Wantage Tn (v Shortwood Utd, home): from Cavanagh, Francis, Jones, Burton, Glover, Robinson, McNeil, D Sadler, McKeon, Austin, Wood, Shamsi, Preece, Hunte, Youngsam, Powell, Wise, Hathaway, Heggie.

Kidlington (v Uxbridge, home): from Warrell, Tetek, Willoughby, Quainton, Franklin, Castle, Coyle, Osborne-Rickets, Gabbidon, Harvey, E Odhiambo, Dunmall, Janes, B Weedon, Al-Hakem.