Chris Hargreaves rejoined Oxford United yesterday and declared: “I want to be playing.”

The experienced midfielder was included in the U’s squad for today’s FA Trophy third-round tie at Chelmsford, a day after being introduced to his new teammates.

The former Torquay United skipper had revealed earlier in the week that he would do whatever he could to help Oxford get back into the Football League, just as he did Torquay, and admitted he would readily sit on the sidelines and clap them to victory each game, if that achieved the ultimate goal.

But he conceded on his arrival: “I want to be playing. That’s what I’ve come here for, and although I’m 37, fitness has never been a problem for me.

“I’ve always kept myself in good shape, and worked hard at that, and I’ve been playing every week for Torquay.

“It’s a great challenge for me, and I’m really excited about it, though a little apprehensive as well, which is natural.

“There are only two or three players here from last time I was here – Billy (Turley), of course, and Matt (Green), who I know from Torquay. We all know what a character Billy is, he’s been texting me and urging me to come back, saying what a good set-up it is here with the management, and squad they’ve got.

“This is the only non-League club I would have considered leaving Torquay for and dropping a division for.

“When I talked it over with my family, it was a dilemma for me because, while I didn’t want to leave Torquay, Oxford’s a great club and has a big pull for me. And that’s why I’m here.”

Hargreaves, who has played 23 games in League Two this season, has signed until the end of the season, and both manager Chris Wilder and chairman Kelvin Thomas expressed their delight at the capture.

Said Wilder: “Chris brings a lot of great attributes at a very busy and hectic time.

“He has been instrumental in Torquay’s success over the last two years and has been playing regular football in the Football League.

“His fitness is exemplary and he doesn’t miss many games in any season.

“We felt in the second part of the season we needed somebody in and around the dressing room and on the pitch with presence and experience of winning big games and winning promotion.

“He has such a desire to do well for this club. As soon as I spoke to him, you could sense that hunger to come back and help us succeed in the second half of the season.”

Thomas said: “Chris is exactly the type of player that I think will help us in the last few months of the season.

“His experience of both the football club and the position we are in will be invaluable.

“He has been in and around the top of this league for the last four years and is a player who offers something a little different to the midfielders we currently have.

“Even in talking to Jim Smith last week for his opinion, he said that he thought that he had probably let Chris go a little early, because he was missed around the changing room and the club the following season.”

l Kevin Sandwith harbours Wembley dream – Page 39