Oxford United can again bask in the glow of being back in proper football when they take on Bristol Rovers at the Kassam Stadium in the Carling Cup first round tonight.

When they were suffering in the wasteland of the Blue Square Premier, United had to make do with the FA Trophy and Setanta Shield.

But their return to League Two puts them back in the Carling Cup, and an intriguing contest against League One Bristol Rovers, who lost 3-0 at Peterborough at the weekend.

Boss Chris Wilder said: “First and foremost we’re just glad to be back in this competition.

“It’s a good game for us. They’re a very capable side with a lot of good players, a lot of young players, so like us they’ll have plenty of energy.”

Alfie Potter is available again, and Mitchell Cole is also set for a place on the bench.

Jake Wright felt his back problem slightly in Saturday’s draw at Burton, but should be OK.

Goalkeeper Ryan Clarke, who was a trainee at Bristol Rovers and played 26 first-team games for the Pirates, said: “I did my apprenticeship there and had four or five years as a pro.

“It’s my home club and the club I always supported as a boy.

“I used to watch them when they were at Twerton Park and my dad was the electrician at the old ground at Eastville.

“Playing them has come around maybe sooner than I expected, but I’m looking forward to it.

“They’re a lot more of a footballing side to when I was there. Trolls (manager Paul Trollope) has gone in and done a good job.

“Having played with him, I know what he’s like, he was a great pro and strong-minded.

“It’s a bit similar to the Yeovil Cup-tie we had last season. We won’t go into it with any fear, we’ll just be treating it like any other game and hoping we get a similar result to the Yeovil one.”

United defeated the Somerset side, also from League One, 1-0 in the FA Cup first round.

Rovers have doubts over midfielder Stuart Campbell (ankle), and defender James Tunnicliffe.

Goalkeeper Mikkel Andersen is on international duty with Denmark Under 21s, so Mike Green makes his senior debut.

Trollope’s assistant is Darren Patterson, the former U’s boss who has stepped up after a spell as Rovers’ youth team coach.

The tie goes to extra time and penalties if the sides are level.

OXFORD United’s League Two derby at Wycombe on August 21 has been made all-ticket.

Tickets go on sale to U’s season- ticket holders from 9.30am tomorrow. Members get their chance on Saturday. Any left go on general sale on Monday.

TONIGHT'S SQUADS

Oxford Utd: (from) Clarke, Batt, Worley, Wright, Tonkin, Heslop, Bulman, Hall, Green, Constable, Midson, Eastwood, Deering, Potter, Creighton, Clist, Baker, Cole, Franks, Purkiss.

Bristol Rovers: (from) Green, Anthony, Coles, Tunnicliffe, Sawyer, Blizzard, Campbell, Brown, Hoskins, Kuffour, Hughes, Regan, Reece, Swallow, Clough, Lines, Richards, Pell.