Mark Wright is the man who will revitalise Oxford United and take them back up the Football League.

That's the view of one of the club's greatest managers, Jim Smith, who called the arrival of the former Liverpool and England defender as United's new boss "a superb appointment".

Speaking after he had led out Queens Park Rangers in a re-run of the 1986 Milk Cup final at the Manor yesterday, Smith said that the capture of Wright was just the boost the club needed.

"It's a great appointment for the club," Smith said.

"I'm sure that he can do what happened when I was here, and take Oxford back up through the leagues to where they belong.

"I think he could be the person who revitalises Oxford United."

And Smith believes that Wright is now ready to handle league football after starting his managerial career in the Conference with Southport.

"Obviously, he's going to need the backing and money to recruit new players, but he is sure to bring a new enthusiasm to the club.

"I know Mark personally - I sold him when he was a young boy - and he was a very intelligent and gifted player. As far as managing goes, he's gone about things exactly the right way.

"He's started in the Conference and will have learnt a lot there and I'm sure he's very ambitious and will give his all for the club."

Read more on this and United's emotional reunion on This is United