THREE points are essential for Oxford City tomorrow afternoon as they host struggling Colwyn Bay in Vanarama Conference North, according to general manager Justin Merritt.

City missed the chance to move to within two points of the play-off places on Wednesday evening as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to North Ferriby United.

But against a faltering Colwyn Bay side, without a win in their last 15 matches, Merritt made it clear that he expects his side to make the most of the opportunity to close in on the top five.

“We need three points,” he said.

“But we’ve had games before this season where we’ve felt beforehand that we should win and it hasn’t happened and then we’ve picked points up when we hadn’t expected it.

“We expect to win the game if we perform to our standards, but there were perhaps two or three who weren’t quite right on Wednesday and they’re going to need to be on top of their game this weekend.

“Colwyn Bay are obviously desperate for a win and it will probably come against someone, so we have to do our jobs properly and make sure it’s not us.”

Captain Darren Pond is unlikely to feature after picking up an ankle injury in the early stages of Wednesday’s match, while defender Alejandro-Adrian Santiago is also likely to be rested with a groin strain.

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However, City are hopeful attacking midfielder Marlon Jackson will shake off a persistent hamstring injury which has kept him out for the last fortnight.

Despite facing a third match in the space of six days, Merritt said City’s squad remains fit for the task.

He said: “We’re in good shape still, but we’re going to make a few subtle changes just to freshen things up a bit.

“The boys are in good physical shape, but obviously if you get a knock it’s going to take its toll after a hard match like we’ve just had.

“Fatigue doesn’t come into it because they all want to be involved and play a part.

“We don’t put any pressure on them, but they’re creating pressure for themselves with the levels they’ve reached so far this season.”

TOMORROW’S SQUAD

Oxford City (v Colwyn Bay, home): from Salva, Coulson, Benjamin, Stonehouse, Lapoujade, Henderson, Fofana, Wilson, Yussuf, Obot, Scott, Barcelos, Winters, Rodriguez, Del Alamo, Jackson.