Oxford United’s key players have returned at just the right time for Sunday’s massive derby clash against Swindon at the County Ground.

Last Saturday, Simon Heslop signalled his return to fitness with a cracking strike in the 1-1 draw against Bradford.

And on Tuesday, he smashed home an even-better 30-yard cracker into the top corner in the timely 2-0 first win of the season against Shrewsbury.

It also saw Paul McLaren return to the middle after missing United’s pre-season friendly programme.

And with Asa Hall on superb form against his old club, the United midfield is looking strong.

It was also good to see Lewis Guy get off the mark with a well-taken goal, courtesy of James Constable, who unselfishly squared the ball for the MK Dons loanee to score.

Last season not enough goals came from midfield and until Guy’s goal, none of the strikers had found the net!

United’s management and players have kept the build-up to the Swindon game low-key, preferring to let their football do the talking.

And with the big players coming back, that will be vital in the pressure-cooker atmosphere at the County Ground where United are looking to end 38 years of hurt – since they got their one and only win in Wiltshire which came in a 3-1 success in February 1973.

At the back, Michael Duberry has been outstanding and has formed a great partnership with skipper Jake Wright, while Liam Davis has shone.

U’s boss Chris Wilder is well aware of the significance of the game, having played in a number of derbies as a player at Sheffield United and South-ampton.

“I get it, we get it – what it means and it’s a big game for us,” he said.

“We have to make sure that we are passionate, but controlled.

“We’re a team that pass and play and we’re not going to change the way we play.

“It’s going to be a cracking atmosphere and I hope everything goes well.”

He isn’t surprised by the passion the Swindon game invokes among the Oxford fans.

The U’s ticket allocation of 2,796, sold out in four days.

“That was always going to happen (for the Swindon game) and it’s always going to attract special attention.

“People talk about Oxford not being a footballing town, but when people are doing that (some fans queued from 10pm the previous night to get tickets) and we take 35,000 to Wembley and 4,000 to West Ham on a Tuesday night, these supporters are just as passionate as any other teams.”