GEORGE Baldock tipped Oxford United to challenge at the sharp end of Sky Bet League One this season after they held his MK Dons side.

The right back spent almost a year on loan with the U’s before he was recalled.

Saturday’s 0-0 draw was the first time he had faced Michael Appleton’s team.

Baldock still keeps in touch with many of his former teammates and liked what he saw.

He said: “I was really impressed with Oxford.

“I think we had two of the best midfields in the league and they went toe-to-toe.

“I can only speak highly of everyone at Oxford United and I think they’ve recruited really well.

“I said to Michael Appleton after the game ‘I think you’ve got a right chance this year’.”

The 23-year-old, who watched the U’s as a boy but came through the youth set-up at MK Dons, was in the unusual position of having both sets of fans cheering his name when it was read out before the game.

“It was a sticky situation for me,” he said. “I’ve got fond memories of both teams and I wanted to get that across.

“That’s why I clapped the home fans because they gave me an unbelievable reception when I was warming up.

“But I also gave a shirt to a young fan in the Oxford United end because I thought that reception shouldn’t go unnoticed – it was unbelievable.”