CONOR McAleny says his new teammates have told him Oxford United’s rivalry with Swindon Town is comparable to one of the biggest in the Premier League.

The 24-year-old will be thrown straight into the squad to face the Robins at the County Ground tomorrow.

McAleny, who joined the U’s on loan from Everton for the rest of the season on transfer deadline day, has already been given a taste of what to expect from United captain John Lundstram, whom he has known since he was 11.

The striker said: “John Lundstram has been telling me all about it.

“He was comparing it to Liverpool-Man United, I definitely know what that’s like, so if it’s anything like that I know what I’m in for.”

McAleny joins a United side flying high off the back of cup victories over Newcastle United and Bradford City.

Having experienced promotion from Sky Bet League One with Wigan Athletic last season, he believes the play-offs are a realistic target for the U’s.

He said: “It’s eight points off the play-offs, which is nothing.

“You can be right in there in less than a month, so that’s the target.

“I was at Wigan the same time last year, they were fourth and ended up finishing top.

“There’s no reason why Oxford can’t go on a similar run.”