ALEX Mowatt is relishing the chance to come up against Oxford United tomorrow.

The midfielder (pictured) spent last season on loan with the U’s, making 34 appearances.

And the spell at the Kassam Stadium ensured Karl Robinson’s men were among the sides he was most looking forward to coming up against.

He told the Barnsley Chronicle: “When I was looking at the fixtures, I was waiting to see when we would play Oxford and it came out first.

“There are a lot of new players from last season.

“The manager is very good and they have a good fanbase. It will be a tough first game back at Oakwell.”

Mowatt’s move south last August suggested he was surplus to requirements in South Yorkshire.

But he has impressed in pre-season under new boss Daniel Stendel and is expected to begin the campaign in the Tykes’ starting line-up.

The former Leeds United youngster knows this is a pivotal campaign for him individually.

He said: “It was a little bit strange watching last season from afar.

“I was following the results every week. But that’s gone now, we have to put it behind us and try to get promoted this season.

“It has been good to see all the boys after a full year away.

“It’s a big season for me, the last one of my contract. I just want to play as many games as I can and help the team get promoted.”

BARNSLEY FACTFILE

Form (pre-season): WWWDLD

U’s last visit: Barnsley 1, United 0, (Division 1) Aug 31, 1998

Predicted line-up (4-4-2): Davies, Cavare, Lindsay, Jackson, Pinillos, Isgrove, Dougall, Mowatt, Thiam, Bradshaw, Moore