OXFORD City boss Mark Jones knows tomorrow’s clash at home to unbeaten Bostik League Premier Division side Leiston has the making of a potential giant-killing.

City play one level higher than their opponents and go into the Emirates FA Cup third qualifying round match as favourites.

But Jones believes that Leiston will fancy their chances of progression, particularly as he has key players missing once again.

Captain Lee Henderson is still struggling to shake off the effects of a dead leg picked up two weeks ago, while Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain is ruled out as parent club Portsmouth will not allow him to become cup-tied.

Jones said: “Leiston will arrive full of confidence and will fancy their chances, particularly as they see where we are in the league.

“We’ve had a look at them and have spoken to a couple of managers that have played them, so we know a bit about them.

“They are the only unbeaten team in their league, so they will obviously be a decent side.”

City will also be without suspended duo Freddie Grant and Reece Fleet, meaning Jones will have to pick a youthful bench.

He said: “I don’t want to complain about our lack of players at the moment.

“It is what it is. We made the decision to run with a fairly small squad this season, and we just have to cope with these shortages.

“When we have everyone available, we will be a match for anyone, but that just hasn’t happened yet this season.

“This game has all the ingredients of a banana skin.

“They are unbeaten and we have lots of players missing. We need to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

City stand to pocket £7,500 if they win tomorrow’s clash, added to the £4,500 they picked up from their victory against Whitehawk in the last round.

They will also earn a place in the final qualifying round, which Jones says with low crowds at Court Place Farm, is important for the club.

“This is a very important game,” he said.

“Having a decent cup run is very helpful, both financially and in terms of getting exposure for the club.

“Our crowds have been really small lately, and we really need some support, so a decent run will hopefully bring a few more back.”

Oxford City (v Leiston, home): from Stevens, Poku, Navarro, Fofana, Oastler, McEachran, Paterson, Sinclair, Pearce, Forde, Jones, Tutton, Khawaja, Landers.

BANBURY United face a test against an unknown opponent tomorrow when they take on Shildon, who play their trade in Division 1 of the Ebac Northern League.

The County Durham side are unbeaten and play two steps below the Puritans.

Banbury boss Mike Ford, who has a fully-fit squad, knows his side are favourites, and is backing them to make the final qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup for the first time since 1980.

He said: “I have to be honest, it’s a good draw for us.

“We will obviously be the favourites as they are two levels below us, but we are not going to turn up thinking this will be an easy game.

“They’ve already beaten a side at the same level as us, but we’re at home, hopefully we will have a big crowd, and it will be a fantastic day.”

Banbury do not have a great FA Cup record, but Ford is backing his players to rise to the occasion.

“It’s a big game for sure,” he said. “It’s not going to change the club, but it’s something we haven’t done for a long time.

“I have one or two in the group that have experienced FA Cup runs – apart from winning titles they are the highlights of your career.

“It’s one of the few games I wish I was still young enough to play in.

“FA Cup games are momentous occasions for 90 minutes, and it could be a fabulous afternoon for us, but it could also obviously go the other way.

“I just hope that we come off on Saturday knowing that we have done our best.

“We have nothing to gain and everything to lose as favourites.

“But we’ll deal with that tag and hopefully get into the hat on Monday.”

Banbury Utd (v Shildon, home): from Harding, Hawtin, Bradbury, Nash, Johnson, Carnell, Westbrook, Self, Louis, Leam, Howards, Shamsi, Martin, McDonagh, Winters, Pond, Peak-Pijnen, Humphreys.