OXFORD City boss Mark Jones is forced to shuffle his pack for tomorrow’s tough trip to Billericay Town in Vanarama National League South.

Influential midfielder Josh Ashby picked up an ankle injury in last weekend’s 4-0 Buildbase FA Trophy win over Chelmsford and is ruled out, while defender Ben Jefford is struggling with an Achilles problem.

Jones has been looking to add new faces, with the back line his priority.

He said: “We’ve been working really hard to try to strengthen the squad, we’re looking a bit thin on the ground, especially defensively.

“With Frankie (Musonda) going back to Luton, we’ve only got two fit centre halves, but at this time of the year, it’s not easy to bring the right sort of player in.”

With Ashby ruled out, Jones is boosted by the return of Jack Self, who has been cup-tied for the last two games.

Young midfielder Ben Barrett is added to the squad from City’s academy side.

Meanwhile, Jones has singled out Kyran Wiltshire for special praise.

He played in three different positions in last weekend’s Trophy win, with City’s boss admitting: “Kyran has been invaluable to us.

“He is proving to be a really versatile player and he just gets on with it, no matter what position he plays in.”

Second-placed Billericay are flying high, and Jones knows they will be a tough test.

“They are going well, and they have lots of experience and good players,” he said.

“We will try to impose ourselves on them and will focus on the things we do best, but we are up for the challenge.

“Many of our best performances come against the so-called better sides, and Billericay are one of the best without a doubt.

“Their financial clout is well-documented, and they have lots of players with Football League experience, but we’ve proved that we can be a match for very good sides.”

Oxford City (v Billericay, away): from King, Godwin-Malife, Jefford, Oastler, Nombe, Fleet, Self, Tshimanga, McEachran, Wiltshire, Caro, Jones, Bawling, Fasanmade, Otudeko, Barrett.