Chris Wilder admits there is little need for him to motivate his players before tomorrow’s FA Cup clash with Barrow.

The knowledge that a victory could see them facing the likes of Wayne Rooney, Did-ier Drogba or Fernando Torres in five weeks time is incentive enough for Oxford United.

A home tie in the second round was all the U’s could have hoped for, and the fact that it’s against Barrow, whom they beat 1-0 in the league last weekend, means it’s a wonderful chance for them to reach the third round for the first time in seven years.

“It’s a great opportunity for the football club and we’re desperate to get there,” said Wilder, recalling the victories over Thurrock, and Yeovil.

“We’ve had two wins of differing nature, one where we were expected to win, and one where we were not.

“This is another one where people will, I imagine, expect us to win.

“But we know from the two games we’ve had with them in the past six weeks, that they’re difficult, stubborn opposition, and we’ve got to be at our best to win.

“I don’t need to motivate my players for this one, they know the enormity of the game, and the fans do, and I hope we can be nice and calm and get a result.”

And United’s manager says he’d like his players, and the fans, to enjoy some glory and limelight.

“I know I keep going on about it, but to have 900 supporters down at Forest Green on a cold and windy Tuesday night, and the 2,000 we took to Kidderminster, it would be great for them if we got through.

“But we know we’ve got some hard work to do, and we’re up for it.”

Oxford United’s players will have a psychological advantage, after last weekend’s victory, but it will still be down to who performs on the day.

“We know we can beat them because we did that,” said the manager.

Steven Kinniburgh and Mark Creighton, who both missed the Blue Square match between the sides, are available again, but new signings Onome Sodje and Franny Green are cup-tied.

For Barrow, ex-U’s winger Craig Nelthorpe is similarly cup-tied.

On-loan striker Jon Shaw has been recalled by Rochdale. And top scorer Jason Walker is a doubt after hobbling off with a hamstring problem.

Barrow have signed Carlisle midfielder Gavin Rothery on loan until January 3.

United’s first-team coach, Mickey Lewis, said Oxford’s players could feel proud of their efforts at The New Lawn, because they stuck to the plan this time.

“I thought it was another tremendous away performance, and to be honest, we could have scored two or three,” he said afterwards.

“At Kidderminster, a couple of weeks ago, we didn’t stick to a plan, and tonight we did.

“It was hard to pick anyone out, but I thought all over the pitch we looked strong, and the midfield three did a tremendous job.

“And the thing about Forest Green is that they’re a very good football team, as they showed at our place.

“People say they’re in the bottom-four, which is true, but on form they’re a useful team and if you let them play they’re dangerous.

“Chris and I went to watch them at Mansfield and they were excellent.

“Obviously you want to play your own football, but the conditions don’t help. It was a tough night with the wind.

“You have to stop them playing as well, because they were at home. I thought the lads did that job excellently.”