Oxford United boss Chris Wilder admits they have been handed a tough start next season, but says it’s nothing to be frightened of.

The U’s kick off their 2011-2012 npower League Two campaign with a visit to Sheffield’s Don Valley Stadium to face Rotherham United on Saturday, August 6.

That is followed by successive home games against Bradford City, on Saturday, August 13, and Shrewsbury Town, on Tuesday, August 16.

Then comes the fixture that so many U’s fans have been waiting for, the visit to Swindon Town’s County Ground on Saturday August 20.

“It’s a tough start, but we’re looking forward to it,” Wilder said.

“We did well against the top sides last year and we’ll be hoping to do the same again.

“There are tough challenges ahead, not just in the first month, but through the whole season.

“But people will be looking at us and thinking we’ll be difficult opponents too.”

United’s big rivals Swindon visit the Kassam Stadium on Saturday, March 3, but the fact that the clubs’ meeting at the County Ground comes so early in the season, has really whetted supporters’ appetites.

With former West Ham star Paolo di Canio as Swindon Town’s new manager, there is extra spice to the fixture and sure to be a big demand for tickets.

And the opening match of the season has added interest for Oxford fans because the Millers have former U’s striker Andy Scott as their new manager, and their former defender, coach and manager Darren Patterson, as his assistant.

Wilder said: “I don’t mind being away first game because you then have two home ones on the bou- nce.

“In the first four games we’ve got Rotherham, who’ll be one of the favourites for promotion – and there’s obviously a connection there with Oxford – then Shrewsbury, who got through to the play-offs, and Bradford, who, according to reports, are having a go at it. And then Swindon, a team coming down.

“So it’s a difficult first four games. In fact, it’s the first month really, because after that it’s Aldershot, who had a decent finish to last season.”

There are many highlights in Oxford United’s fixture list, with a lot more southern-based teams in League Two.

Well-supported clubs Bristol Rovers and Plymouth Argyle visit the Kassam Stadium on October 8 and 25 respectively.

There’s a rare Boxing Day away game for the U’s this time, at AFC Wimbledon, who won promotion to the Football League through the Conference play-offs.

And on New Year’s Eve they are down on the English Riviera at Torquay, who return to play Oxford at the Kassam Stadium on Easter Monday, April 9.

United also end away from home, with a trip to Port Vale on May 5.