GARRY Haylock defended his shock decision to release Neil Martin after just 12 appearances, insisting there are better players available elsewhere.

The 19-year-old left-back only joined Hayes & Yeading United from Exeter City in August and his arrival coincided with the team's record run of nine successive wins.

He was part of a much more solid defence than United fans had been used to, compiling a record of 10 wins and one draw during his brief Church Road career, and with no specialist left-back available right now, the decision to show him the door came as a big surprise to many.

Leon Solomon, in whom Haylock showed a lot of faith by offering him a contract even after he broke his ankle in pre-season, is close to a return and he is expected to fight for the position with Toby Little, who still has some way to go in his recuperation from a knee injury.

"I felt that was an area that we could make improvements," said Haylock. "I'm working on that and we've got a couple of players coming back from injury.

"In a couple of weeks I could have had three left-backs available.

"I also think his form had dipped." Haylock's decision means he is likely to go into the most lucrative game of the season on Saturday, against the might of Conference National side Oxford United, with a makeshift left-back.

Steve Perkins, on his way back from his own lay-off, struggled there last weekend but with Solomon unlikely to be plunged into such a big match, the decision appears to be between Perkins and Peter Collins.

Tom Cadmore (ankle) could be fit after missing the last two games and Haylock will be keen to have him back in the side after the team shipped four goals in his absence.

His replacement Nevin Saroya is also only one booking away from another suspension after he collected his fourth caution in only seven appearances, against Eastleigh.

Oxford, who boast the best gates in the Conference of more than 4,000, represent a very stiff test for United but the rewards are huge with not only £12,500 on offer but the possibility of more riches in the first round proper. A win may even give Haylock the cash to add to his squad.

"It's a great stadium, an impressive venue and they've got a lot of play-ers with quality," said Haylock.

"Three players on loan from league clubs - they're full of quality so it's going to be a very tough game.

"They're going to be fitter, stronger and quicker so it's going to be a big ask for us, but we will endeavour to give our very best."

United will certainly have to defend better than against Eastleigh, a game which the manager described as starting 'like a schoolboy team and got worse,'although he was encouraged by the way they fought back to draw 3-3. Josh Scott grabbed two of those goals to take his tally to nine for the season and five from the last three games, but Haylock wants more.

"I think he can play better," he commented. "The problem with Josh is he's never played so many games in a row and so his body's adjusting.

"If I had the right bodies it might be time to give him a rest but I don't have them."