It's been billed as the battle of the Arsenal legends.

But Oxford United boss Graham Rix is playing down his meeting with his former Highbury teammate, Tony Adams, in tonight's live TV clash at Wycombe.

He says the Coca-Cola League Two match, which is being televised by Sky, only represents three league points.

And in any case, being ten years older than former England captain Adams, the Wycombe manager, their playing careers at the north London club only overlapped by a couple of years.

"We had a couple of seasons together at Arsenal," Rix said.

"When I first saw him come into the club at 15, he was training with the first team and was not out of place then.

"He was a man then, and coming in at 15 he bossed people about.

"It's a great career he's had. He was a top player, a top man and a top fellow.

"And he has shown what strength of character he has in overcoming his personal problems and going on to become a manager."

The first few months at Wycombe were difficult for Adams, however, and he was unable to prevent the Chairboys from being relegated from Division 2 last season.

Rix said: "It's never easy when you spend a lot of time at a big club like Arsenal to drop down a league or two and the standards are not the same and the facilities are not the same.

"But he's a very clear-thinking lad, he knows what he wants and he'll have his team doing what he wants.

"He wasn't one of my best mates, though I've got a lot of respect for him."

The Oxford United boss will know a little of what to expect from Wycombe, who tend to try to suck teams in and then counter-attack, which probably explains why their results have been better away than at home this season.

Rix said: "Don Howe was certainly an influence on my career and a similar influence on Tony, and I know he's asked Don in a couple of times of help him out with a couple of situations.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Don is at the game tonight, and it will be good to see him."

Adams admitted he was offered both Tommy Mooney and Lee Bradbury in the sumer.

"They are both great players," he said. "I would have liked them, but couldn't afford their wages."

Third-placed Wycombe will go top if they win, while a victory for Oxford would take them joint top.

Adams said: "We're up there on merit but with the (small) squad we've got, it will not be possible to stay there."

United are looking for a third win in a row, and Rix said: "It will be a test for us. The lads are full of confidence after two wins, we've just got to make sure we're tuned in and keep concentration."

Rix added: "It's great for the club that it's on TV. I'd like us to show a lot of people what we're capable of."