Didcot Town boss Stuart Peace has hailed the signing of former Oxford United youngster Ryan Brooks, but warned him he will have to fight for a place in their promotion-chasing side.

Brooks (pictured), who links up with his brother and ex-U's striker Jamie, is included in the squad for tomorrow's British Gas Business Southern League Division 1 South & West home game against Hillingdon Borough after signing from Abingdon United.

"He won't just walk into the side," said Peace.

"I won't start with him, but he will be in the squad. I think his game will be more suited to our style of play, than perhaps it was at Abingdon where they play more direct football. He's got good strength and pace."

But Abingdon boss Andy Slater was mystified by the move.

"I'm disappointed Ryan has gone," he said. "I can't understand where he's going to play, because they have got Jamie on one side and Paul Powell on the other."

Didcot are looking to get back to winning after two draws.

"It's four points dropped," said Peace. "We have to get a win, because otherwise automatic promotion may be beyond us and we may have to settle for a place in the play-offs."

Slater has warned against complacency when his full-strength Abingdon United side travel to strugglers Beaconsfield SYCOB.

"They can't be taken lightly," he said. "But if we can win this and get the three points from the Swindon game (it was abandoned due to floodlight failure with United winning 3-0) that will set us up nicely for Christmas."

Oxford City welcome back player-manager Justin Merritt, Anthony Aleyne and Mark Avery for the trip to Bracknell.

They have fitness doubts over Jon Steadman (hamstring) and Alex Stewart (Achilles).

Merritt wants his side to be sharp from the off after conceding an early goal in their 2-0 defeat at Taunton.

Banbury United give a late fitness test to striker Andy Baird for their trip to Team Bath in the Premier Division.

The former Wycombe forward has made a quicker-than-expected recovery from an ankle injury.

Howard Forinton, Jon Gardner and Stuart Bridges return for Banbury, who are unbeaten on the road.