Abingdon United boss Andy Slater says his side must get back to basics - starting with tomorrow's visit of Paulton Rovers in Division 1 South & West.

Slater returned from a five-week holiday in Australia to take charge of a side that has won just once in the last eight games. The poor run started when he jetted off to the antipodes, leaving assistant manager Mark O'Hara in charge.

Although Slater doesn't officially retake the reins until this weekend, he watched them lose 3-1 at Oxford City on New Year's Day.

"It's the same players that went on that run of 16 matches with only one defeat," said Slater.

"We're not in the best of form and we need to put that right. I think we've got to get back to basics.

"I'm not going to change the players. I'm going to try to get back the desire they had.

"You don't beat teams likes Staines and then become a bad side. We now have to restore some self-belief among the players."

Defender Nathan Woodley should return after a head injury, though Michaes Herbert and Julian McCalmon (pictured, right) are suspended.

Josias Carbon (knee) is doubtful, while keeper Carl Wilkins is fit again.

Mark Janes has been recalled from his loan spell at Slough Town for Oxford City's clash away to Gosport Borough.

Jermaine McSporran (stomach strain), Ikechi Anya (ankle), Jon Gardner (ankle) and Leon Woodruffe (hamstring) are injury doubts.

Player-boss Justin Merritt said: "I was pleased that after a poor performance at Newport (they drew 1-1) the boys came back and applied themselves very well."

Merritt, whose side are second behind leaders Didcot Town, added: "We've had Gosport watched and they are a good side. But hopefully we can get a win and continue that for the next three or four months."

Josh Mulvany is set to return from a long injury lay-off for leaders Didcot Town's trip to fellow high-fliers Farnborough.

The midfielder has been out with an ankle problem.

Skipper Jamie Heapy has completed a ban, though keeper Michael Watkins is still out with a shoulder injury.

Ashley Vine (hamstring) is a doubt.

Boss Stuart Peace said: "Every game is tough, but Farnborough is probably the hardest place to go and get a win.

"But I'm delighted with the way it's going. There was a stage when we weren't conceding goals, but we weren't scoring any.

"We seemed to have rectified that with 13 goals in three games - and we have only conceded one."

Banbury United will be without the suspended duo of Ady Fuller and Wayne Blossom for their Premier Division home game against Bashley.

Striker Matt Murphy is still missing with a calf injury, while Scott Bridges (hamstring), Ollie Stanbridge (Achilles), Mike Feely (knee) and Matty Gooderick (back) are doubtful.

HOW THEY LINE UP Banbury Utd (v Bashley, home): from Wheeler, Travers, Kinch, Essex, Baird, Milner, Nicholls, Stuart Bridges, Scott Bridges, Stanbridge, Feely, Ibrahim, Gordon, Bryan, Gooderick, Sambrook, McKay.

Abingdon Utd (v Paulton Rov, home): Tricker, Wilkins, Moss, Organ, Alexis, Woodley, Franklin, Carbon, Brooks, Odhiambo, Beechers, Curtin, Holden, Aldworth, Mills, Hemmings, Cottrell.

Oxford City (v Gosport, away): from Smith, Saulsbury, Woodruffe, Gunn, Pond, Avery, Gardner, Malone, Stewart, Redknap, Bell, Davis, Jones, Williams, Ikechi, McSporran, Meade, Roper.

Didcot Tn (v Farnborough, away): from Farrow, Davis, Williams, Peirson, Bicknell, Witt, King, Jack, Hope, Bartley, Parrott, Heapy, Mulvany, Hopkins, Lewis, Vine, Howarth.