Chris Wilder believes Oxford United’s players should relish the chance to knock out Championship opposition after being paired with Charlton Athletic in the Capital One Cup.

The U’s will be attempting to repeat one of the finest cup nights in the club’s recent history after the last meeting between the sides.

A penalty shoot-out victory saw Ian Atkins’s Division 3 U’s topple their top-flight hosts after the Worthington Cup tie in 2002 finished goalless.

The Addicks will again be favourites for the first-round game, due to be played in the week starting August 5, after finishing last season ninth in the Championship.

But it should provide a welcome early-season financial boost and Wilder sees it as an opportunity, taking inspiration from Bradford City’s run to last season’s final.

“It’s an excellent one for the club,” the United manager said.

“We would have liked them at home, but it’s a game we can have a go at.

“As seen in the competition last year, a team from our league had a magnificent run and won at Championship and Premier League sides.

“We know we’re going to have to play well on the night to get any sort of result, but I think it’s a good, attractive tie for the players and supporters.”

For the moment, Wilder is focused on strengthening the squad.

The U’s boss has brought in Jonathan Meades, David Hunt and Danny Rose so far, but is optimistic about completing another deal before the squad begins pre-season training on Friday.

He said: “We’re trying to tie up a deal in the early part of the week.

“We are three players light, but we are still working extremely hard.”

Recruiting at least one striker remains the priority for the U’s.

They have been linked with the likes of Bournemouth hitman Matt Tubbs and ex-Torquay forward Rene Howe, but nothing has been confirmed.

Wilder would not be drawn on any specific targets, in case it alerted rivals.

He said: “There will be a pool of strikers I’m sure clubs in our position will be chasing. Until they sign, I can’t afford to talk about them.”

THE League Two fixtures are announced tomorrow at 9am, see oxfordmail.co.uk for details.