A PAIR of Oxford United old boys are eagerly awaiting coming up against their former employers for the first time on Sunday.

Neither James Clarke or Matty Taylor have played competitively against the U’s since leaving the club, but are expected to be in the Bristol Rovers squad this weekend.

Clarke, who played 32 games before being released in 2009, told the Bristol Post he had been waiting for the fixture.

He said: “I’m looking forward to the game.

“It will be a special occasion for me and Matty (Taylor) because it is our old club and we grew up there as kids.

“I started there as a trainee and made my way through the ranks and into the first team.

“I made quite a few appearances, but it didn’t really work out for me over the long-term.

“It was a good place to be at the time and of course you will always have some affection for the club that gives you your first break in the game.

“They gave me a good pedigree and that period of my life made me what I am today in all fairness.

“The way it ended for me wasn’t ideal and I was disappointed to leave, but that’s the way it goes sometimes and I was determined to stay in the game.”