MARCUS McGuane is taking nothing for granted as he looks to impress for the final time in pre-season this afternoon.

Oxford United’s warm-up games will conclude with a piece of history, as they become the first side to visit Brentford’s new stadium (3pm).

The 17,250-seater is less than a mile from Griffin Park and the club only received the safety certificate for their new home on Sunday.

It will serve as the last chance for both sides to fine-tune before starting the 2020/21 season in the Carabao Cup this weekend.

In what has been a positive pre-season, McGuane has been one of the U’s stand-out performers.

But the Nottingham Forest loanee knows nothing has been decided yet.

“You can’t think you deserve to play,” he said.

“Every day in training you have to show yourself.

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“Every small detail you need to show you’re affecting the game and playing well.

“I don’t expect to play, I feel like I need to show the gaffer and players what I can do and hopefully it takes care of itself.”

This season gives McGuane an opportunity to settle down after an eventful start to his career which has taken in Arsenal, Barcelona and a loan spell in the Netherlands.

While he has only been with United for just over a fortnight, the elegant midfielder is feeling at home already.

He said: “Everyone has taken me under their wing and given me the confidence to allow me to express myself.

“They know what I can do. I get on well with everyone and I feel really good here.

“People look at my route and my story, it’s quite a strange one.

“But it is what it is and things happen.

“I’m just happy to be here with a good group of boys and a brilliant manager.”

The Brentford game will be played behind closed doors, with even external media shut out.

But the Bees will be streaming the match on their Youtube channel from 2.30pm.

For United it offers the chance of taking a second Sky Bet Championship scalp in four days, after Saturday’s 1-0 home win against Queens Park Rangers.

McGuane said: “We did some nice things in that game.

“Obviously there are things to iron out, but that’s the same with every game.

“Everyone’s ready for the upcoming season.”

United will be without Joel Cooper, who is due away on international duty with Northern Ireland.

  • A Cheryl Williams penalty gave Oxford United Women a 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest Women in a pre-season friendly.