OXFORD City’s French keeper Victor Francoz is in the doghouse with his boss Mike Ford after injuring himself while trying to save a cat.

The 23-year-old, who was born near Lyon and made his City debut last September, suffered a bad calf wound after falling out of a tree as he tried to reach the stricken pet.

The 5ft 10in stopper has been vying for a place in the starting line-up with Mark Scott for the Skrill North strugglers this sea-son.

But his freak injury means that he now faces a spell on the sidelines.

And Ford is not impressed at the manner of losing his keeper.

“It’s ridiculous,” he said.

“I’ve not got any sympathy for him at all because he’s done it to himself.

“He fell out of a tree when he was trying to get a cat.

“He’s got a deep cut and unfortunately now we don’t have Victor because he’s gone back to France for a couple of weeks to have treatment.

“You just don’t get professional players climbing trees.”

He added: “It’s annoying because I wanted to have a choice with the keepers.

“Did I want to go with Victor, who is like an outfield player with gloves or Mark?

“Unfortunately, now I’ve got no alternative.”

Francoz, who joined the club after a successful trial spell last summer, made his debut away at Altrincham after replacing Scott, who played in the opening six games.

City are in the Skrill North relegation zone having won just five of 23 league matches this season.

They bid to climb out of the bottom three this weekend when they travel to Leamington.