ROSS Jenkins says Oxford City would benefit from a battle when they take on Wycombe Wanderers this evening.

The Vanarama National League South club travel to Buckinghamshire for a behind closed doors friendly (6pm).

It could be a different type of test to City’s first pre-season game against Oxford United ten days ago, which they lost 5-2.

READ MORE: Oxford United beat Oxford City in high-scoring pre-season opener

Wycombe play a more direct style than their Sky Bet League One counterparts, but it took them to last season’s play-off final following relegation from the Sky Bet Championship in 2021.

City are unlikely to face a full-strength Chairboys side, but head coach Jenkins hopes it is a similar brand of football.

He said: “Oxford United play some great football under Karl (Robinson) and they play in a manner that I really like.

“Wycombe have got success with what they do as well, they go a bit direct and a bit more physical.

“Coming up against a different opposition might just help us, we want to be flexible and I think if we get challenged by Wycombe going a bit direct then it’ll be brilliant for us.

“I hope they do, because it’ll make me see a lot about our team.”

This is City’s second pre-season friendly after starting the summer with the home defeat to United.

The squad for that game included eight trialists and it is likely to be a similar story this evening, with only nine first-team players signed on for next season.

One of those is centre back Andre Burley, who could face his former club after joining City in June following his release by Wycombe at the end of last season.

READ MORE: Centre back joins growing ex-Oxford United contingent at Thame

Jenkins said: “In previous years we’ve had a large squad and it’s benefitted us in some ways but also killed us.

“It is important we take our time and get the right people in.

“We want the right characters and the right style of footballers, so I don’t think we’re going to rush.

“We’ve retained exactly what we wanted from last season, the boys that moved on have all joined new clubs and I look forward to seeing them next season.

“In terms of new boys coming in, we are being patient and it’s taking some time.

“We’re in no rush to fill our squad.”