Banbury United's veteran midfielder, Les Phillips, is battling to be fit for the Oxfordshire Senior Cup final against Thame United tonight (7.45) at the Manor Ground - the scene of some of his greatest moments.

Now 38, the former Oxford United favourite struggles with a back problem which affects the rest of his body.

Les Phillips is struggling with a back injury

He has not played over the last week, and manager Kevin Brock, another ex-Oxford United star, rates his chances at 50-50.

Striker Steve Jenkins, who also had a spell at the Manor, is battling to shrug off a knee injury and has a similar chance, but Garry Harrison (hamstring) is more doubtful for the Dr Martens League club.

Not only is the impressive trophy up for grabs tonight, but it will also be the last Senior Cup final to be held at the Manor Ground before Oxford's move to Minchery Farm next season.

And Brock said: "I had eight years up there and they were the best times of my career and the same for Les Phillips.

"Jenks has also been involved there and Andy Wallbridge, so there are quite a few associated with the club.

"With the final at the Manor it is a special place for all the local players."

Thame boss Andy Sinnott has similar fond memories of the Manor, having been a neighbour of legendary former U's trainer Ken Fish in Osler Road for 24 years.

Sinnott said: "The Manor is irreplacable and to be involved in one of the last games there is a nice bit of history."

But putting sentiment aside, Thame's manager is desperate to see his Ryman League outfit lift the cup - which they last won in 1993 with a 2-1 victory after extra time over Banbury.

He said: "I see it as an important game for us. We have had two excellent seasons, but at the end of the day we have nothing to show for it.

"We missed promotion last year by the narrowest of margins and we have missed it this year and we lost the Senior Cup final last year.

"This is the opportunity to get some silverware on the table."

Thame will be without holidaying duo Ian Moores and Mick Swaysland, and injury victims Mark Jones and Andy Williams.

Chris Fontaine faces a fitness test on his troublesome Achilles, but Justin Merritt returns after a knee injury.

Banbury Utd: from Tricker, Muckelberg, Sullivan, Wallbridge, Fuller, McKay, Phillips, Corbett, Sherlock, Jenkins, Gooderick, Harrison, Essex, Thompson, Smith, Cramond, McCrae.

Thame Utd: from Brain, Smith, Brown, Avewry, Lee, Potter, G Williams, Perna, Merritt, West, Louis, Cort, Mitchell, Simms, Greig, Fontaine.