ARDLEY United defender Mark Essex is set to end his injury nightmare after being included in their squad for their Sport Italia Hellenic League Premier Division home game against Shortwood tomorrow.

The former Banbury United player has been sidelined for months with an ankle injury, but made a successful comeback for the reserves on Tuesday night.

He suffered the injury two games before Dan Still took over as Ardley boss.

However, Greg Gardner has been ruled out until the new year with ankle ligament damage after being crocked in the league game with Witney last month.

Tom Green misses out with an ankle injury, though he could return for their Boxing Day clash against Bicester Town, who this week are without a game.

Milton United travel to in-form Hounslow Borough.

Milton cruised to a 3-0 win against Hounslow earlier this season, but in recent weeks, the London side, boosted by the return of former QPR striker Michael Meaker, have picked up some fine results.

Witney United entertain west Oxfordshire rivals Clanfield in the first round of the Challenge Cup.

Neil Maskell returns, but Lee Keyes (ankle) is def- initely out, while there are doubts over Ben Border and Robbie Wyatt.

Clanfield have doubts over Nick Heritage (heavy cold), Jamie Montague (virus), Adam Lock and Neil Barrett (both injured).

They have signed Ashley Johnson from Aylesbury Vale Rangers.

TOMORROW'S SQUADS

Ardley Utd (v Shortwood, home): from Edwards, Lagoia, Richmond, Mason, Allen, T Smith, Brandon, Garbutt, Martin, Hill, Holden, Wiffen, Essex, Omar.

Milton Utd (v Hounslow Boro, away): from Tasker, L Davis, Horsman, Sadler, Fox, Styles, Kirby, Hooper, Malone, Rusher, Howell, P Davis, Fell, Whitehead.

AFC Wallingford (v Fairford Tn, away): from Shea, Parker, Fenn, Barlow, Ingram, Massaquoi, Tyler, Touray, Baker, McMahon, A Taha, Z Taha, Leggett, Styles, Fellows, Hoey.

Abingdon Tn (v Wantage Tn, home): from Beames, Betram, Walton, Flanagan, Crosby, L Beauchamp, Smith, Champ, D Thomas, J Thomas, Antcliffe, Morgan, Douglas, Hough, Larman, Jezzard, Hartley, Bradley.

Witney Utd (v Clanfield, home): from Tassell, Cruse, Butler, McMeeking, Perkins, Douglas, Shelton, Saunders, McMahon, Cook, Odom, Wyatt, Johnson, Border, Riddy.

Clanfield (v Witney Utd, away): from Heritage, Lock, Mace, Court, Hill, Montague, French, Cook, Everett, N Barrett, Andrews, Connolly, Moore, Edmonds, Harding, Johnson, Fitzgerald.

Headington Ams (v Binfield, home): from Bianchini, Murray, Bell, Baker, Parsons, J Gray, Wichall, Johnson, Drewett, Evans, Baldwin, Bayliss, Crook, Phillips.