Kelvin Thomas admitted that Wednesday’s Carling Cup draw really brought home what Oxford United’s promotion means.

Chris Wilder’s side were handed a tasty home tie against League One outfit Bristol Rovers.

And with the League Two fixtures announced this morning, U’s chairman Thomas says that everyone can’t help but think about what being back in the Football League means.

“We’re all very excited about being in this competition again,” Thomas said.

“A home draw is always good, and with the match taking place in the first week of the season, is a great way to start for us.”

The game sees the return of former Oxford boss Darren Patterson, who is now the youth team manager at Rovers.

“To play a team that are not too far away from us is an added bonus,” Thomas added.

“And of course we’ll be welcoming Darren back here as well.”

Rovers finished 11th in League One last season.

The last time United played the Pirates was the season the U’s got relegated from the Football League.

They secured a 1-0 home victory that evening thanks to a second-half Steve Basham penalty.

United’s manager on that occasion was none other than Patterson during his three-game spell before Jim Smith returned.

Fellow promoted side Stevenage were handed a plum draw at home to last season’s FA Cup finalists Portsmouth.

Other interesting ties see Wycombe entertain Millwall and Swindon drawn at home to Leyton Orient.

1st round draw: Hartlepool Utd v Sheffield Utd, Leicester C v Macclesfield Tn, Walsall v Tranmere Rov, Carlisle Utd v Huddersfield Tn, Stockport County v Preston NE, Barnsley v Rochdale, Morecambe v Coventry C, Doncaster Rov v Accrington Stanley, Chesterfield v Middlesbrough, Peterborough Utd v Rotherham Utd, Bradford C v Nottingham Forest, Leeds Utd v Lincoln C, Sheffield Wednesday v Bury, Scunthorpe Utd v Oldham Ath, Crewe Alexandra v Derby County, Exeter C v Ipswich Tn, Southend Utd v Bristol C, Southampton v Bournemouth, Brentford v Cheltenham Tn, QPR v Port Vale, Torquay Utd v Reading, Norwich C v Gillingham, Stevenage v Portsmouth, Shrewsbury Tn v Charlton Ath, Cardiff C v Burton Albion, Northampton Tn v Brighton & Hove Albion, Swansea C v Barnet, Plymouth Argyle v Notts County, Wycombe Wanderers v Millwall, Oxford Utd v Bristol Rov, MK Dons v Dagenham & Redbridge, Hereford Utd v Colchester Utd, Yeovil Tn v Crystal Palace, Aldershot Tn v Watford, Swindon Tn v Leyton Orient.

Ties to be played week starting August 9