WES Thomas is looking forward to lining up against a number of familiar faces when Oxford United take on Birmingham City today (3).

The U’s continue their pre-season preparations against Harry Redknapp’s side – their last home friendly before the new campaign.

Thomas joined the U’s last summer after a frustrating two years at Birmingham, which saw him start just nine league games.

But the 30-year-old, who has scored three goals in pre-season after coming back from a ruptured Achilles tendon, cannot wait to face some of his old teammates.

He said: “It’s a match I’ve been looking forward to and hopefully I’ll get some game time – it will be nice to see some old faces.

“It’s still pre-season, so we’re still trying to get the fitness up and working on how we’re going to play, but it’s still going to be a fairly competitive game.

“We obviously want to win. Beating them would give us a boost.”

Goalkeeper Simon Eastwood, who was forced off during Wednesday’s 4-3 defeat to Brentford, is a doubt after requiring stitches to the back of his leg.

But U’s fans may see left back Dwight Tiendalli feature for the first time.

Manager Pep Clotet said: “I’m very pleased with the performances at the moment.

“Obviously we’re testing a lot of things and we will keep doing the same against Birmingham.

“But slowly, slowly, you get to a point where you start to narrow everything to start the league in the best conditions possible.”