SEAN Rigg plans to use any hostility from Port Vale fans as a source of motivation when he returns to his former club tonight.
The 24-year-old made more than 100 appearances in almost three years with Vale, but rejected a new contract to join Oxford United in May.
Rigg admitted he had no idea what sort of a reception was in store for him at Vale Park, but is unfazed about the potential of being targeted by the home fans.
He said: “It would be nice to get a good one, but sometimes it doesn’t always go that way.
“I’ll take it on the chin if not, I don’t mind that because I know I’ll do well.
“I think they might give me a bit of stick, but I can use it to motivate me to prove them wrong.”
Tonight’s game is being shown live on Sky – only the second time United have been live on television since returning to the Football League.
Rigg is part of a side looking to extend their unbeaten run to four games and the winger admitted the presence of the cameras added something to the build-up.
He said: “Definitely it does before the game, because you do think about it.
“But when you’re out on the pitch you totally forget about it, just get on with your game and hopefully you don’t make a fool of yourself.
“I’m raring to go, it’s exciting to go back to your previous club and play, I’m looking forward to it.
“The boys are buzzing at the minute, there’s a lot more confidence in the team after a couple of good results and I think it’ll be a good game.”
United’s recovery will be severely tested by Port Vale, who are second in npower League Two.
Like their visitors, Micky Adams’ side come into the game on the back of success in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy last week, knocking out League One side Walsall in a penalty shoot-out.
United’s squad will be at its strongest for several weeks, with several players available again after missing the 4-2 victory at Cheltenham Town.
Johnny Mullins is back after being cup tied, while Jake Wright, Lee Cox, Alfie Potter and Damian Batt are poised to return.
TONIGHT’S SQUADS Port Vale: from Neal, Duffy, McCombe, McDonald, Taylor, Myrie-Williams, Burge, Morsy, Vincent, Pope, Dodds, Johnson, Yates, Davis, Shuker, Lloyd, Williamson, Owen, James.
Oxford Utd: from Clarke, Batt, Mullins, Wright, O’Brien, Heslop, Chapman, Leven, Forster-Caskey, Constable, Craddock, Worley, Capaldi, Cox, Whing, Marsh, Boateng, Rigg, Potter, Crocombe.
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