Oxford City will be without Liam Malone for the rest of the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division campaign after undergoing ankle surgery.

The ball-winning midfielder, who has been at the hub of City’s play-off campaign, yesterday underwent surgery on his troublesome ankle.

Malone, who rejoined City earlier in the season after a brief spell at Hemel Hempstead, had been playing through the pain barrier.

“He has been trying to put the operation back until the summer,” said City boss Mike Ford.

“But we felt that if he did that then he wouldn’t be available until October.

“He’s had some knocks and twists with the ankle, so he’s having it cleared out and if all goes well, he will be ready for next pre-season.

“Liam is at that age where he knows the level well and he will be a loss, but we have got a big enough squad to cope.”

Meanwhile, Ford has urged his players to relish every game as they approach the business end of the season.

Ford, whose fourth-placed side host Evesham tomorrow, added: “We are ticking along nicely and I want the players to enjoy it because opportunities like this don’t come along very often.

“I don’t want the players to miss out because we are a bit anxious. We are in a fantastic position.”

Banbury United manager Ady Fuller says his side must defend better, starting with the trip to play-off chasers St Albans City.

On Tuesday, Banbury lost 3-1 at Leamington to make it five defeats on the spin and leave them two points above the relegation zone.

Fuller said: “At least we are not in the bottom four, but we will be if we don’t defend better than we did at Leamington where we gave away three poor goals.”

Striker Howard Forinton makes his return debut after signing from Daventry and Fuller is delighted tosign him.

“I’ve played in the same side as him and managed Howard at Daventry, so I know all about him.” he added.

“He’s a class act who will give the whole squad a massive lift.

“We are in a dogfight and you need players like him.”

Banbury are without the injured duo of Danny Edmond and Nick Kingston.

Tomorrow’s squads Oxford City (v Evesham Utd, home): from Mooney, Clarke, Blossom, Ballard, Pond, Willmott, Benjamin, Malone, Basham, Woodley, Isaac, Barcelos, Learoyd, Bell, Lyon, Martin.

Banbury Utd (v St Albans City, away): from Kemp, Thackeray, Kinch, Dolman, Chilton, Coleman, Howell, Cole, Forinton, Johnson, Williams, Polk, Angus, Richardson, Lamb, Stacey.