JOE Riley admits Oxford United’s trip at Gigg Lane was one of the first fixtures he looked for after joining Bury in January.

The full back spent the first half of the season on loan with the U’s, who were keen to retain the then Bolton Wanderer for the rest of the campaign.

Instead, the 23-year-old joined Bury on a permanent deal and Riley has been anticipating the clash since.

He said: “It’s a game I probably looked at when I first came here and was already really looking forward to it.

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“It will be nice to see some faces I knew when I was there, but the main thing is the three points.

“Come Saturday at 3pm there will be no friends.”

The defender has played well and with Bury in the play-off places, there are no regrets.

Riley said: “There were discussions (with Oxford) but when Bury (showed) the hopes and desires they have got, it enticed me in straight away.

“I only live ten minutes away so it was a fairly easy decision.

“I am thrilled I signed here to be honest with you.”

When asked if he was looking forward to seeing Riley again, U’s boss Michael Appleton said: “No, and that’s in the nicest possible way, obviously.

“We were really disappointed we weren’t able to get a deal done.

“But we’ve got a right back (George Baldock) we’ve brought in who’s not a bad replacement.”