OXFORD United defender Jake Wright aims to show today’s opponents Bradford City what they missed out on.

But the 24-year-old feels he’s got nothing to prove at Valley Parade – despite the Yorkshire club releasing him four years ago.

The U’s centre back returns to the city where he grew up and to the club where he was a trainee and young pro from 2003-2006.

But they showed him the door, and after spells with Halifax, Crawley, Brighton and now Oxford, Wright has gone on to become one of the best and most admired defenders in League Two.

“I signed a pro contract and then went to Halifax on a three-months loan, then Bradford called me back, so I thought I’d go back and be playing or be involved,” he said.

“And I was involved a few times, got on once, but then just got released.

“I don’t feel I’ve got anything to prove. I’ve gone on and done well, and done better things really.

“I was gutted at the time. But I got released by Colin Todd, not the club, so there’s no-one there now that released me.

“I’m glad to be going back. A lot of friends and family back home want to watch me.”

Wright added: “It’s a massive club really, and they shouldn’t be where they are with the crowds they’re getting.

“But they’re there for a reason, and they’ve got to find their way out of it.”

United have an almost fully fit squad, with Simon Clist the only player under treatement this week.

This is because of an ankle injury he picked up in training, and which forced him to miss the reserves’ midweek win over Luton.

But after the 3-1 victory over Northampton at the Kassam Stadium seven days ago, changes are not expected, with boss Chris Wilder sticking with the front three of James Constable, Tom Craddock and Alfie Potter.

The win pleased Wilder because his players showed they could dig in and mix it, when that was needed, as well as pass the ball around.

He said: “It wasn’t, from my point of view, technically and tactically not a great second-half performance.

“But the main thing was that they won the game.

“You’re not always going to be at your best, not always going to be putting together several passes in a move.

“Sometimes defenders have to come into their own, heading the ball and tackling, and making blocks, and defending for their lives.”

Bradford hope to have Tom Adeyemi and Lee Hendrie fit again after last weekend’s 3-0 defeat at Burton.

Defenders Reece Brown and Oliver Gill have now both returned to Manchester United at the end of their month’s loan.

Bantams boss Peter Taylor feels Hendrie’s injury was caught in time so that he could return against Oxford today.

He said: “Lee wasn’t confident in himself to have played.

“We’re just hopeful it’s not going to get any worse and he’s been able to start training again.”

TODAY'S LINE-UPS

Bradford City: (from) McLaughlin, Rehman, Williams, Oliver, O’Brien, Osborne, Doherty, Syers, Hendrie, Hanson, Daley, Price, Speight, Moult, Saxton, Bullock, Threlfall, Chilaka.

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