Forest Green's former Oxford United midfielder Paul Wanless is ruled out of a playing return to the Kassam Stadium today by a long-term back injury, but will be on the bench because he is their assistant manager.

In 2005, 'Wanny' couldn't say goodbye to the United fans after being released suddenly by previous boss Brian Talbot - just weeks after he had been promised a new contract by Talbot's predecessor, Ramon Diaz.

And it is something he is keen to put right.

"I never got the chance to thank the Oxford fans, and it was the first fixture I looked out for at the start of the season," he said.

"I always had a great relationship with them."

Wanless has taken heart from Rovers' last two displays, which have seen them come away from both Cambridge and York with a share of the spoils.

"Anyone can beat anyone in this league, and even going to the top teams should hold no fears for us," he said.

Matt Robinson, the ex-United left back who played for Forest Green against Oxford in October, left The Lawn two months ago to join Conference South side Salisbury City.

He wanted to move into part-time football in order to combine playing with his job in the police force.

Forest Green Rovers: (from) R Robinson, Lawless, Hardiker, Jones, Giles, Preece, Nicholson, Lamb, Pitman, Clist, Brough, Afful, Stonehouse, Dodgson, Beesley, Carey-Bertram, Harrison.