DENIS Smith returns to the Manor Ground tonight for the first time since he packed his bags to take over as West Bromwich Albion's manager on Christmas Eve.

He says he's expecting a warm welcome, yet he may be surprised by the strength of feeling and support, especially on the terraces, for new Oxford United boss Malcolm Shotton.

Tonight's game, and the atmosphere that seems certain to be generated, has captured fans' imagination and a near sell-out is predicted.

"I'm looking forward to quite a warm welcome," Smith said, " and to seeing the backroom staff and players especially.

"I got on very well with just about everyone and enjoyed my time at the club."

Smith said that when he left Oxford he received a big postbag "and not a nasty letter in it".

Yet, in the eyes of some of the Lodnon Road faithful, Smith is old hat now and, thanks in part to that sensational 3-1 win at league leaders Nottingham Forest, Shotton's the Messiah.

Smith spent nearly four and a half years at the Manor yet Shotton has arrived with his own metaphoric broom to make sweeping changes and instill a new passion and competitiveness both in training and in matches.

Although this is officially Shotton's first home game, he has already made three new signings and sold two of the old guard, Nigel Jemson and Darren Purse, players that Smith brought to Oxford. And Shotton ndicated that though the selling had finished, he was keen to bring in one or preferably two more players to strengthen his squad for the final run-in.

"Hopefully the sale of players is all but done but I feel I need another two to make this a decent squad. Another face might make quite a difference.

"There's been a lot of business coming and going in the three weeks I've been here and it might not be finished. There are a few whose contracts are up at the end of the year who need to go out there and prove they want to play for this football club."

Shotton added: "Denis coming back for the first time adds more spice and there'll be a big crowd and good atmosphere.

"I'm not bothered what kind of reception Denis gets, I just want the fans to come along and get right behind Oxford.

"My players don't need that to get motivated to go out and play. We need the points and they need the points as they push for the play-offs."

United skipper Mike Ford said: "It's always nice to play sides managed by old managers - it was when we played against Brian Horton at Huddersfield.

"Denis knows the difficulties of playing at the Manor because we had a good record under him, so hopefully we can spoil his night for him."

Midfielder Martin Gray added: "Denis was very good to a lot of us, but we'd still like to put one over him."

*UNITED supporters wishing to stand at tonight's game are strongly advised to arrive early at the turnstiles.

Vouchers to enable supporters to buy a Reading match ticket will be issued to supporters paying cash at the turnstile and that will also lengthen entry times.

Supporters wishing to purchase seats will be able to book seat ticket over the phone until 4.00pm and are advised to book in advance as most seast are already sold.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.