It will be very much a new-look Oxford United that takes to the field at Don Valley Stadium tomorrow.

Chris Wilder has been busy in the transfer market for three weeks, but it’s only now that all his work has come to fruition all at once.

And it’s the spine of his team that has been especially strengthened.

Coming in are tall centre half Ben Futcher, experienced holding midfielder Paul Wotton, and striker Steven Maclean.

There is better news about James Constable, whose debilitating illness forced him to miss train earlier in the week.

However, he returned yesterday and is expected to travel to Rother-ham The new captures should give the rest of the Oxford team, and the fans, a big lift.

The question of whether to bring in some older heads has been on the minds of United’s coaching staff for some time.

“It’s something we talked about and we let go till 14 or 15 games,” said the manager.

“It’s been a difficult situation for us because we beat Port Vale and Northampton but really, deep down, we’ve known we needed to strengthen.

“We’re delighted we’ve added these three, and I’m sure they’ll make a difference in terms of us getting results, picking up and moving forward.”

Wilder is himself a former Roth-erham player.

He joined the Millers from Sheff-ield United and made 132 starts and 11 sub appearances from 1992-96, playing under Archie Gemmill and John McGovern.

“I had three seasons there and enjoyed my time,” he recalls.

“It’s a decent club and I made a lot of friends there. It was a part of my career that I really enjoyed.”

Ronnie Moore, who took over at the South Yorkshire club in 1997, is now back there for a second spell.

“Ronnie came after I left and he had great success, got them into the Championship and had a couple of promotions, and obviously they got close last year.

“They’re tipped to go up, so we know it’ll be a difficult game for us, but we’re looking forward to it.

“As always for footballers, there’s an opportunity around the corner.

“We need to get something out of the game, but there won’t be a lot of pressure on us except for the pressure we put ourselves under to go and get a result.

“It’s in Sheffield, I’ve played a few times at the Don Valley. It’s a pretty open arena, but the pitch is good.

“We’ll prepare properly and hopefully the new boys will give us the boost that we need, because I don’t think we’re a million miles off.

“Yes, we’re a touch short of confidence, but that quickly changes with a goal, with a performance and with a good result, and I’m sure that there’s one just around the corner waiting for us.”

Rotherham’s danger man is Adam Le Fondre, one of the most feared strikers in the lower divisions.

He smashed 30 goals last season, and has scored 14 this campaign.

Rated at £1m, he has been watched by a host of clubs, and has been in talks with Rotherham about extending his deal, though has yet to do so.

A predator, he’s a fox in the box who comes alive in and around the penalty area, and the quality of many of his goals suggest he could play at a lot higher level.

United will have to be at their best to prevent him scoring.