Oxford City player-manager Justin Merritt has set his side a challenge - let's go unbeaten for the rest of the season.

Merritt, whose side face a trip to relegation-haunted Slough Town, said it was vital they got into top form as they look to cement their place in the British Gas Business Southern league Division 1 South & West play-offs.

"We've got four games left," said Merritt, whose side beat Hillingdon in midweek following last weekend's home defeat by Fleet, to go above Didcot into third.

"So it's about keeping our shape. We want to finish second or third so we get home advantage.

"I asked the players 'can you go unbeaten for the rest of the season?'. I want to go into the play-offs, should we get there of course, on a strong run."

Apart from Uxbridge, City have not beaten any of the promotion and play-off contenders.

They have lost twice to Farnborough and Fleet, and have taken a point off Didcot and Windsor in their two meetings this season.

Merritt added: "The facts are that out of all the sides in there, it's only Uxbridge that we have beaten. So we could go into the play-offs as underdogs.

"But I'm not going to worry about that yet - let's get there first."

He added: "We played well on Tuesday. In the first half we missed a few chances, but we worked really hard. We have been more organised in recent games.

"Didcot are having a bit of a blip, Fleet have had theirs and so have Farnborough. It's a long old season and you aren't going to play brilliantly every game, but hopefully we have come through our bad patch."

City will give fitness tests to George Redknap (hip) and James Saulsbury (groin), while they are hoping to get clearance for Jon Gardner, who has a broken wrist, to play in a special lightweight cast. Steve Davis should return after illness.

Didcot Town boss Stuart Peace wants his side to be more ruthless starting with their trip to the Newport IOW.

Town are looking to record a double over Newport, having beaten them 5-0 at home. Ironically, that was the last time Didcot won, a run going back four games.

Last weekend, Didcot wasted a host of chances in a 1-1 draw at home to Winchester.

"The attitude of the players is fine, but we can't seem to take our chances," said Peace.

"Against Winchester we made so many chances, but ended up drawing. We must make sure when we get opportunites we put them away."

Although Newport are marooned at foot of the table, Peace is warning against compalcency.

"People are talking about it being a guaranteed win, but we have to make sure we get out of there with the points."

Didcot are without Andy Williams (hamstring), while Vinny Rusher returns.

Abingdon United will be without Tom Franklin (suspended) and Nathan Woodley at home to Taunton.

Andy Slater's side have lost once in their last seven games.

Banbury United have injury doubts over Scott Bridges (knee), Mark Essex (Achilles) and Olly Stanbridge (knee) for their Premier Division trip to Hitchin.

SATURDAY'S LINE-UPS Oxford C (v Slough Tn, away): from Smith, Carbon, Woodruffe, Gunn, Pond, Avery, Telemaque, Malone, Redknap, Lyon, Bell, Stewart, Romeo, Falconbridge, Merritt, Saulsbury.

Didcot Tn (v Newport IOW, away): Watkins, Heapy, Davis, Peirson, Powell, Powell, Mulvany, Jack, Parrott, Hope, King, Rusher, Vine, Witt, Odhiambo, Thomas, Hopkins, Lewis.

Abingdon Utd (v Taunton, home): Farrow, Moss, Meade, Posey, McCalmon, Organ, Malloy, Herbert, Deering, J Brooks, R Brooks, Curtin, Beechers, Holden, Cottrell, Druce, Booker.

Banbury Utd (v Hitchin, away): from Wheeler, Murrell, Fuller, Kinch, Essex, Baird, Blossom, Milner, Travers, Williams, Pearman, St Bridges, Sc Bridges, Stanbridge, Bryan, Gordon, Sambrook, McKay.