Two of the Oxford United players who would most love to play against Peterborough on Saturday are both having to miss out.

Both Damian Batt and Alfie Potter have injuries, but U’s boss Chris Wilder is confident of having an entire fit squad to choose from for the opening Blue Square Premier game against York in eight days’ time.

Batt would have relished facing Championship new boys Posh in tomorrow’s second pre-season friendly at the Kassam Stadium because his younger brother, Shaun, is in the Peterborough team – and scored in their 2-0 victory at Stevenage on Tuesday evening.

And 20-year-old right winger Potter has joined United on a season-long loan from Peterborough.

Wilder said: “Alfie went over on his ankle at Brackley last Saturday and will not be available and Damian will not be involved at the weekend either. Hopefully he’ll be able to have his first taste of action against Villa next Tuesday.”

Luke Foster is another who missed out against QPR last Friday, but he too should be available for selection by the time the York match comes around.

“I am hopefult of having everyone available for the start of the season,” said United’s manager.

Peterborough won promotion from League One, behind champions Leicester last season, and they will be similar – quality opposition to QPR, possibly even more testing because of the confidence a winning run breeds.

“They’re a team that’s enjoyed success the last two years with two successive promotions, they have a good manager and staff, a great work ethic, it should be another great game for us,” Wilder said.

“Pre-season has gone really well and we’re getting exactly what we want out of it.

“What Peterborough have done can happen here, and I think the first promotion is the difficult one to achieve.

“There are a lot of quality sides in our league and only two places to go for.

“This is the hardest league to get out of, but it’s what we want to achieve. Teams like Peterborough, MK Dons and Doncaster have shown what can be done.”

With Darren Ferguson and Barry Fry at the helm, Peterborough have built their success on prising away the cream of non-League.

Up front they have ex-Dagenham & Redbridge striker Craig Mackail-Smith, who bagged 26 goals last season, George Boyd, a £250,000 signing from Stevenage, and ex-Grays man Aaron Mclean, who got 19 last term.

At the back, ex-Stoke defender Gabriel Zakuani and Krystian Pearce, who is on loan from Birmingham, should feature.