OXFORD United’s Ryan Ledson is relishing the prospect of a midfield battle against Bristol Rovers today.

The U’s travel to the Memorial Stadium in a confident mood after back-to-back Sky Bet League One victories.

But Rovers, searching for a third win in four games, are equally upbeat after last week’s 6-0 demolition of Northampton Town.

Ledson believes the clash, which will be played in front of a sell-out away end, has the making of a thrilling encounter.

And the midfielder is expecting to be in the thick of the action.

The 20-year-old said: “It’s a game I always look forward to.

“It’s always a tough match, I know that from last year.

“They have got some good players, it will be compact in midfield, so there will be tackles flying in and a lot of energy.”

Ledson added: “I love every game – the feeling you get on a matchday when you walk out onto the pitch, there’s no better feeling.

“But these games, a bit of a derby really, are the ones you look forward to.”

The England Under 20 international will come up against a familiar face, with former U’s teammate Liam Sercombe set to line up in the Rovers midfield.

The 27-year-old joined the Pirates in the summer after he was left out of the run-in last season by then manager Michael Appleton following unspecified ‘disciplinary issues’.

Ledson said: “Sercs is a good player, so I’m looking forward to that one.

“It should be a good battle between me and him.

“There’s other players, the likes of Chris Lines, in the middle of the park, so it will be a really good battle.”

Ledson added: “I won’t shy away from any situation.

“We know Bristol and they have a good home record as well, so it will be important for us to be solid.

“They are a good team, they haven’t drawn a game yet, so it can go either way and hopefully we will be on the winning side.”

United will decide on the fitness of four players ahead of today.

But boss Pep Clotet may prefer not to risk Rob Hall, Jon Obika (both groin), Gino van Kessel and Dwight Tiendalli (both hamstring).

Rovers are without top-scorer Billy Bodin (hamstring).

TODAY’S LINE-UPS

Bristol Rov: from Slocombe, Partington, Lockyer, Sweeney, Bola, Lines, O Clarke, Sercombe, Harrison, Gaffney, Nichols, Smith, Brown, Leadbitter, Sinclair, Telford, Broadbent, Moore.

Oxford Utd: from Eastwood, Ribeiro, Nelson, Mousinho, Ricardinho, Henry, Ledson, Ruffels, Rothwell, Payne, Thomas, Roberts, Xemi, Mowatt, Martin, Williamson, Carroll, Shearer.