Damian Batt gave Oxford United a big lift on the eve of their first home pre-season game by agreeing a two-year contract extension.

The U’s face Championship side Leicester at the Kassam Stadium today, with most supporters getting their first chance to view Chris Wilder’s summer signings.

And Batt, who had one year to run on his existing deal, admits he took little persuading to extend his stay at the club “We had a great season last year, the club is going places and I want to be part of that, “ he said.

“We want to promoted and win as many games as possible, and, personally, I want to have a great season.

“But I want to be better than I was the last season. I think the extra competition (York defender Ben Purkiss joined in the summer) will help me to do that.”

Wilder will field his strongest-possible side, which will include a number of new faces.

Defender Harry Worley, who joined United from Leicester on Thursday, is set to face his former side.

Mitchell Cole could be involved as he continues to recover from a slight knock sustained during United’s pre-season trip to Scotland though fellow new man Richie Baker is almost certain to miss out, along with Rhys Day and Simon Clist.

Leicester, with new manager Paulo Sousa in charge for only the second time, will bring a full-strength 17-man squad for the game.

The Foxes were winning 2-1 at Rotherham on Tuesday when floodlight failure brought the match to an early conclusion.

But with just two games after this match before their season starts, Sousa is keen to look at his first-choice squad.

United’s defence will need to be on their guard with Matty Fryatt and DJ Campbell likely to lead Leicester’s attack.

Fryatt is a proven goalscorer, while the pacy Campbell has hit three in three pre-season games.

City welcome back Bruno Berner to the squad, the Swiss international has returned from leave to battle with new signing Tom Kennedy for the left back position.

Oxford Utd: from Clarke, Batt, Worley, Wright, Creighton, Tonkin, Heslop, Bulman, Franks, Hall, Midson, Woodley, Constable, Deering, Green, Kinniburgh, Eastwood, Purkiss, Potter, Cole, Baker.

Leicester: Weale, Logan, Adams, Hobbs, Morrison, Kennedy, Berner, Parkes, King, Oakley, N'Guessan, Dyer, Wellens, Verma, Fryatt, Campbell, Howard.

l A youTHFUL United side drew 0-0 at Winchester City on Thursday night.