Oxford City boss Mike Ford is looking for his side to keep up the good work when they visit Banbury United in tonight’s Oxfordshire Senior Cup quarter-final.

The big freeze has meant City haven’t played since the 2-0 win against Weymonth.

And Ford says he will be fielding his strongest possible side against their Evo-Stik Southern League rivals should Spencer Stadium pass an afternoon pitch inspection.

Following the thaw, the problem now is waterlogging.

“It’s a competition where you could think about playing people that wouldn’t normally play,” said Ford.

“But because of the enforced lay-off I am going to play as many first-choice players as I can.

“I want us to produce a performance and look to take that into the league. We’ve got 16 games left and if we play well in all those games then we can get into the play-offs.

“If we play well in some and not in other then we won’t.

“Our performamnces will dictate where we end up.”

Ford said the club’s 3G surface had ensured the players had kept up their fitness levels.

Meanwhile, Ford said he was not thinking about a possible trip to the Kassam Stadium for the final had not entered his thoughts.

“We have to play Banbury first before we can think about anything else.

“We played Banbury in the League Cup and lost to them on penalties, but our performance was good.

“So we have to play well again tomorrow night.”

City welcome back Steve Basham after an Achilles tendon injury, while Aaron Woodley is back in training after an ankle problem.

Banbury boss Ady Fuller has warned his players to expect a backlash from City after that League Cup win.

He said: “One thing is for certain their players will be up for it.

“It’s a competition that is nice to win and we will be putting out our strongest possible squad.”

New signing Wes Emery will make his debut after signing from Woodford United.

Banbury will be without Ryan Howell and Josh Cole (both unavailable).

Tonight’s squads Oxford City: from Mooney, Clarke, Learoyd, Ballard, Fleet, Willmott, Malone, Benjamin, Taylor, Haysham, Martin, Bell, Barcelos, Lyon, Blossom, McEachran, Basham, Woodley.

Banbury Utd: from Kemp, Coleman, Polk, Dolman, Chilton, Williams, Johnson, Josh Blake, Edmond, Kinch, Angus, Fraser, Thackeray, Richardson.