RICKY Holmes is relishing having the support of Oxford United fans for the first time today.

A long wait for the winger to join on a season-long loan from Sheffield United ended on deadline day.

Holmes has come in for attention from the home supporters at the Kassam Stadium in the past, especially when he played for a Northampton Town side who won promotion ahead of the U’s from Sky Bet League Two in 2016.

But the 31-year-old is aiming to turn that around by impressing in a yellow shirt, starting at home to Fleetwood Town this afternoon.

“I got stick every time I played against Oxford,” he said.

“Some say it’s a compliment, some would say they don’t really like me. But I’ve always loved playing against Oxford.

“When I was at Northampton they (Oxford) played better football than us, but we just knew how to win games ugly.

“The fans liked to give me a bit of stick, but hopefully they can get on my side now.”

The delay in Holmes’s move forced him to watch United’s 4-0 hammering at Barnsley on the opening day of the season from afar.

It also meant he could not train with United, but the Blades loanee is ready to go.

He said: “Some people need to train every day to be able to play, but I’m not one of them.

“I like just turning up on a Friday and playing on Saturday.

“We’ll get on to home turf on Saturday and I think the team is going to excel.

“I’ve got a great feeling about it.”

Fleetwood arrive also looking to kick-start their campaign after a 1-0 home defeat to AFC Wimbledon.

The Cod Army, managed by Joey Barton, have not lost in eight meetings with United – winning seven.

The only goal of their most recent visit, in April, was a spectacular effort from ex-U’s loanee Conor McAleny.

And after suffering twice at the hands of the forward, who turns 26 tomorrow, U’s boss Karl Robinson has warned his defenders to be on alert.

He said: “Conor scored a wonder goal for Oxford when I was at Charlton and then a wonder goal for Fleetwood here.

“So if anyone shows him inside on to that right foot they will be in an awful lot of trouble.”

New signing Jamie Hanson (thigh) will miss out, but Marcus Browne could be named in the squad for the first time.

TODAY’S SQUADS

Oxford Utd: from Eastwood, McMahon, Nelson, Dickie, Garbutt, Brannagan, Ruffels, Hall, Henry, Holmes, Obika, Smith, Whyte, Mackie, Lopes, Baptiste, Mousinho, Long, Norman, Stevens, Browne.

Fleetwood Tn: from Cairns, Coyle, Spurr, Bolger, Morgan, Dempsey, Grant, Sowerby, Burns, Evans, McAleny, Nadesan, Hunter, Madden, Marney, Sheron, G Jones, P Jones.