JAMES Roberts and Robbie Cundy have returned to parent club Oxford United following the conclusion of their loan spells at neighbours Oxford City.

The Vanarama National League South side make the long trip to Truro City tomorrow without the pair, who both started in last weekend’s shock 2-1 win over second-placed St Albans City.

Josh Ashby is the last U’s loanee remaining at Marsh Lane, having agreed a short-term extension.

But the duo’s departure leaves the City squad looking rather depleted as they travel to Cornwall.

“I’d like to thank both James and Robbie for their efforts for us this season,” said caretaker manager Mark Jones.

“They’ve both been very professional and made valuable contributions.

“Josh is a player we’re very keen to keep, because he’s an important member of our team.

“We’re still in discussions about keeping him for longer and hopefully we can work something out.”

However, despite having just a 15- man squad for this weekend, Jones has no plans to replace the outgoing youngsters.

The return of centre-back Jean Niate from an ankle injury fills the gap left behind by Cundy at the back and Jones believes the side he has presently will suffice.

He said: “At the moment we have no plans to bring in any other players.

“We’re just going to go with the small squad we’ve got and use the younger players to fill in.

“In an ideal world we’d keep everyone, but we’re working on a tight budget.

“I’m not always a huge fan of bringing in lots of loan players anyway, because unless they’re the right characters I sometimes feel it can be detrimental to team spirit.

“If they’re not your players they won’t necessarily be giving 100 per cent commitment to your team.

“It’s always a careful balancing act.”

Jones has overseen a remarkable upturn in results since taking the reins last month, with victories in each of his three matches in charge.

But he admitted his side’s form had taken him by surprise.

“I’d be a liar if I said that I’d expected us to win all three,” he said.

“We’ve exceeded expectations.

“Now we’ve got to try and use this momentum and build on the confidence gained from these results.”

TOMORROW’S SQUAD

Oxford City (v Truro City, away): from Belford, Grant, Poku, Ashby, Henderson, Davies, Fleet, Ngathe, Winters, MacAuley, Fondop, Louis, Ngamvoulou, Peake-Pijnen, Niate.

OXFORD City caretaker manager Mark Jones believes a partnership with Oxford United will prove beneficial for both clubs.

Earlier this week, the U’s agreed a deal in principle to establish a permanent training base at City’s Marsh Lane home, which could include the installation of an artificial 3G surface on the main pitch.

Jones welcomed the move, saying: “From a football point of view it will certainly help us.

“Historically, we’ve always found it difficult to play at home, because the pitch is not conducive to great football.

“But getting a 3G pitch will solve that problem and allow us to play more football on it.

“The partnership is still in its early stages, but I believe it could prove exciting for both clubs.”