OXFORD United will start the new season not scared of any opposition, but prepared to give respect.

That was the message from manager Chris Wilder yesterday following the release of the fixtures for the 2010-2011 season, United’s first in the Football League since 2005-6.

The U’s have what looks a tricky opening test, away to Burton Albion on Saturday, August 7.

They also finish away, at Shrewsbury on May 7, and their Boxing Day fixture is similarly away from the Kassam Stadium, at Stevenage, who were promoted with them from the Blue Square Premier.

Oxford’s first home fixture in npower League Two is against Bury, Wilder’s former club, where he was assistant to manager Alan Knill before Oxford came in for him.

They have home matches on December 28 against Macclesfield, on New Year’s Day against Southend and on Easter Saturday against Chesterfield.

Burton finished 13th in League Two last season and their tally of 71 goals was the fourth best in the division.

But United’s opening-day trip to the Pirelli Stadium should not hold any fears because the U’s last visit there 14 months ago, saw them spoil the Brewers’ Conference championship party with a 1-0 win.

Wilder said: “Burton’s relatively close and Wycombe, our second away match, is near so I fully expect, with the momentum we’ve had and our great support, we’ll take a lot of fans and go there in high spirits.”

The League Two fixtures may not be glamorous, but they are still far better than the likes of home to Grays or away to Fleetwood.

“I think everyone in Oxford is excited because it’s not what we’ve had in four years,” Wilder said.

“The players obviously want to go and pit their wits against better-standard opposition, but the day the fixtures come out is really one for the supporters.”

He added: “Bristol Rovers in the Carling Cup is a good game for us. We did particularly well against Yeovil in a cup competition last season and, speaking to one or two people, the feeling is that Bristol will bring a decent support.

“I had six months at Bury, so it wasn’t a particularly big part of my career, but they’ve done well over the last two seasons.

“I think the feeling is there’s nothing to be scared of with the opposition we’ll meet, but they should be respected.

“That’s what we’ve done in the Conference and we’ll aim to do again.

“We won’t go blowing our trumpet about this or that, we’ll just get our heads down and work hard.

“Clearly, though, we’d like to get off to a good start if we can.”

One noticeable change from the Conference is that there are far fewer midweek games at the start of the season, although teams who progress in the Carling Cup could be busy.

“That’s good,” said the U’s boss. “It gives us the chance to prepare properly for each game.”