Jim Smith expects a difficult start when his Oxford United side kick-off their Blue Square Premier promotion campaign at home to Forest Green Rovers on Saturday, August 11, writes Nick Farrant.

United struggled to put the so-called weaker teams away at home last season and they will be anxious to get off to a good start against Rovers, whose assistant boss is ex-U's midfielder Paul Wanless.

That is followed by a trip to Cambridge United on Tuesday, August 14.

Ex-United frontman Steve Basham, who has joined Exeter, faces his old pals when Oxford host the Grecians on Tuesday, September 4.

Later in the month, Matt Robinson, who used to play at left back for the U's, should be part of the newly-promoted Salisbury side who visit Oxford on Tuesday, September 25.

Former U's players Chris Hargreaves and Lee Mansell will be back at the Kassam Stadium on October 9 when United entertain Torquay United.

Weymouth, who now boast ex-United striker Jefferson Louis in their line-up, are the visitors on Saturday, Dec 1, while United take on Crawley at home on Boxing Day.

United travel to Crawley's Broadfield Stadium on New Year's Day for the return fixture.

Fans will have to get the map out on October 13 when they visit Farsley Celtic. For the uninitiated, they are based in the Leeds suburb of Pudsey.

"It's always exciting when the fixtures come out," said Smith, who has just returned from holiday in Spain.

"It's nice to start with a home game and it's good that we're at home on Boxing Day.

"There are a lot of games, and of course, you've got the extra cup competition (the Setanta Shield).

"It's a tough start with Forest Green, Cambridge, Burton, Stafford, Stevenage, Halifax and Exeter in the first seven.

"I think after seven games you usually get a good indication of how you are going to do."

Smith has received a boost after Phil Gilchrist, Billy Turley, and Chris Willmott all declared themselves fit following operations.

Skipper Gilchrist, Willmott and Turley, who all underwent knee surgery, were among 20 United players who tackled their first day of pre-season training at Milton United under the guidance of fitness coach Jordan Milsom.

They included four triallists, the French duo of left back Alex Jeannin and midfielder Kalusivikako Ngoma, Southend winger Joel Ledgester and Moor Green's left-sided midfielder Phil Trainer.