LUKE McNally says victory at Sheffield Wednesday would give Oxford United the perfect platform to kick on.

The U’s play their first league game at Hillsborough for 30 years this afternoon (3pm), after gaining four points from their last two home matches.

Eighth-placed United are above their hosts, albeit only on goal difference, but they are yet to win away in Sky Bet League One this season – with Wednesday unbeaten at home.

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McNally, who will play at the famous 40,000-seater ground for the first time, insists the U’s will not be overawed as they look to build on Tuesday’s 5-1 win over Accrington Stanley.

The centre back said: “There is momentum, but I think it comes from two, three or four wins.

“We’re happy with where we’re at and if we go to Sheffield and get a win we could have a really big season.

“We have to go there and look for three points and make it a special day for our fans.

“They’re in League One as well, so I don’t really see the difference.

“Obviously there’s a difference when you drive up to the ground, you see the stands and think ‘wow’.

“It doesn’t make any odds when the whistle goes.”

McNally could make way for the fit-again Jordan Thorniley, but he will not feel out of place if he does start this afternoon.

The 22-year-old has had plenty of minutes in his first Football League season, with injuries to Thorniley and Elliott Moore seeing him play seven of United’s first ten League One games.

McNally has got up to speed quickly, despite a bout of Covid disrupting his pre-season.

“I’ve woken up a couple of mornings thinking I was on the bench, but then started,” he said.

“In pre-season the plan was to play regularly, when Rob (Atkinson) left I thought: ‘this is my chance’.

“If you fast-forward things from getting Covid and that then I probably am quite happy.

“I think it’s a time of my career to really stamp my authority.”

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Another U’s player out to continue their form is Matty Taylor.

The striker has scored in United’s last two games and insists they can claim a memorable victory.

He said: “It’s a great stadium, a great set of fans.

“They’re one of the massive clubs in this league but they’re on the same number of points.

“It should be a good game and we’ll be going there to spoil the party.

“We’ll be wary and pay them respect, but definitely full of confidence.

“We’ve shown we’re as good as the top sides and we want to keep taking a few scalps and climb the table.”