George Baldock cannot wait to test himself against Premier League players as Oxford United aim to take Swansea City’s scalp in the Emirates FA Cup tomorrow (12).

It is 17 years since the U’s hosted a top-flight side in the competition, when Chelsea needed a stoppage-time penalty to earn a 1-1 draw at the Manor Ground.

The prospect of an upset for Swansea’s visit in the third round has attracted a big turn-out from United fans, with a capacity crowd in excess of 12,000 set to pack out the Kassam Stadium.

Those hopes could be helped with the visitors expected to make a host of changes, with one eye on their midweek Premier League clash with fellow strugglers Sunderland.

Whoever features, Baldock is relishing the chance to come up against top class players, in what should be a very different style to United’s games in Sky Bet League Two.

He said: “I can’t wait for a real football match, it’s going to be brilliant.

“I watch the Premier League all the time, the way the players move and how clever they are, it’s just going to be brilliant.

“It will be a lot different to chasing hook-ons and second balls.”

Baldock has already been part of one big shock, when MK Dons thrashed Manchester United 4-0 in last season’s Capital One Cup.

The 22-year-old admits his United teammates are bored of hearing the story, but he thinks tomorrow’s game will offer an insight into which United players have a shot at one day reaching the Premier League.

He said: “I don’t know who is going to play but I was watching videos with our analyst Dan Bond on Youtube.

“With people like (Jefferson) Montero, (Wayne) Routledge, we were just looking at each other and laughing.

“I’m so excited because when you have aspirations as a young player you want to face the top guys. “If you can’t perform against them then maybe it’s not for you.

“It’s a great opportunity for everyone and I would love it if they played their strongest team.”

Baldock goes into the game in superb form, although he acknowledged the standard of winger he will be up against may force him to pick and choose the moments he gets forward.

He said: “I may have to be a bit cleverer and make sure my positioning is spot-on.

“I’m sure the gaffer will be telling me to bomb on and express myself. What’s the worst that can happen?”