Abingdon United boss Andy Slater has given his side's British Gas Business Southern League Division 1 South & West play-off hopes a big boost - literally - by signing former Oxford United youngster Michael Alexis and ex-City and Thame United midfielder Kamran Abassi.

The duo go into a squad already boasting five players over six foot tall.

Alexis (pictured), 6ft 2ins, who also plays in midfield, has joined from Midland Division leaders Brackley Town.

Abassi, another six-footer, has joined from Worcester City following a spell at Maidenhead. He missed the whole of last season while he recovered from a knee operation, but is raring to go having trained with Abingdon for a couple of weeks.

They are added to Slater's squad for tomorrow's trip to leaders Bashley.

He said: "Kamran's a big, powerful lad and he's got experience of playing at a higher level.

"Alexis is a good signing. He's got a lot experience and is also a big strong lad. He's got very good vision."

Abingdon will be without Nathan Woodley for personal reasons, while Jermaine McSporran is sidelined with a hamstring problem.

Slater added: "'Bashley is tough, although every game is tough if you want to make the play-offs."

Didcot Town will be at full strength as they look to get back in the play-off frame at Thatcham.

Boss Stuart Peace is looking to forget the disappointment of Tuesday's 3-1 Errea Cup quarter-final defeat against Banbury United.

"We've just got to keep winning. I've banned all talk about the play-offs, though it's not difficult to work out that with our games in hand we can get back there.

"I'm not looking beyond the next game."

Oxford City's Jimmy Griffin makes a quick return to his old stamping ground when he travels with his new teammates to Swindon Supermarine.

Griffin joined the club two week's ago. Gavin Lane (ankle) is doubtful.

Banbury United give late fitness tests to Paul Lamb (ankle) and Keiron Sullivan (groin) ahead of their trip to fellow Premier Division strugglers Hitchin Town.

Boss Kevin Brock said: "It's another difficult game for us because we are away. But they aren't going so well and we're looking to do well in that one." f=85 Helvetica Heavy s=9q=cBy STAFF REPORTER o TOMORROW'S SQUADS f=Helvetica s=6Abingdon Utd (v Bashley, away): from Tricker, Moss, Organ, Davis, Ballard, Abassi, Herbert, McCalmon, Ferreira, Brooks, Curtin, Odhiambo, Peirson, Alexis, McGlynn, Baker.

Didcot Tn (v Thatcham, away): from Webb, Goodall, green, Heapy, Bedwell, Jack, Powell, King, Parrott, Witt, Concannon, Spence, Brooks, Wickens, Learoyd, Bianchini.

Oxford C (v Swindon Supermarine, away): from Drake, Durrant, Davis, Avery, Craker, Merritt, Jones, Malone, Stewart, Alleyne, Burnley, Rendell, Harper, Illsey, Ford, Steedman, Janes, Lewis.

Banbury Utd (v Hitchin, away): from Judge, Bridges, Kinch, Sullivan, Blossom, Pond, Stanbridge, Redknap, Forinton, Baird, Gardner, Lamb, Jackson, Nicholls, Bryan. Judge, Bridges, Kinch, Sullivan, Blossom, Pond, Stanbridge, Redknap, Forinton, Baird, Gardner, Jackson, Nicholls, Bryan, Brock.

FOOTBALLf=Helvetica bi s=12 All the latest from the non-league scene 'Bashley is tough, although every game is tough if you want to make the play-offs' Andy Slater f=85 Helvetica Heavy l=8.5q=lNEW FACE: Former Oxford United youngster Michael Alexis, who could make his debut for Abingdon United at Bashley tomorrowof=Helvetica s=6Picture: Name Order No. XXXXX oxfordmail.net/photosaleso