Oxford United have a "juicy" start and an encouraging finish next season, according to secretary Mick Brown following the release of the Football League fixtures yesterday.

As reported in yesterday's later editions, United's first Saturday home game is a local derby against Wycombe Wanderers, which means an early return to the Kassam Stadium for last season's 15-goal leading scorer, Tommy Mooney.

Mooney turned down the offer of a new deal at Oxford and joined rivals Wycombe earlier this month.

United kick off their fifth consecutive season in the Football League's bottom division - Coca-Cola League Two - with a visit to Grimsby Town on August 6.

Two dates that may require kick-off time switches are Saturday, September 3 when United travel to Shrewsbury, and Saturday, October 8, when Carlisle visit the Kassam Stadium.

The World Cup qualifier between Wales and England at the Millennium Stadium is on September 3, while the Carlisle fixture clashes with England v Austria at Old Trafford.

"The England-Austria game will probably be at 3pm," said Brown. "I'm sure we wouldn't go head-to-head with it, but we'll have to see.

"Knowing the FA, they won't make a firm decision on kick-off time until quite late on."

Relegated Torquay United will be the first home opponents for U's boss Brian Talbot, who officially took charge after the final game of last season.

The Plainmoor club visit the Kassam Stadium on Wednesday, August 10.

Mark Wright's first return to the ground since resigning as U's boss in November 2001 is not until April. Wright brings his Peterborough side to Oxford on Saturday, April 8.

United are again at home on Boxing Day, this time taking on Notts County, and their fans will be pleased that they are also at home on New Year's Eve, when Oxford host Mansfield.

On paper, at least, it's an encouraging finish to the campaign with four of the final six games at home.

"It is a juicy start, and could well be a good finish. Let's hope we're in the running for promotion to make it an exciting finale," Brown added.

The draw for the Coca-Cola Cup will be made at 7am next Tuesday.