KEMAR Roofe views Oxford United’s tricky start to the season as an opportunity for the side to put down a marker as Sky Bet League Two promotion contenders.

The fixture list, released yesterday, sees Michael Appleton’s men visit Luton Town, Bristol Rovers and Northampton Town, along with a home game with Portsmouth, in the opening six weeks of the campaign.

The quartet are fancied by the bookmakers, along with the U’s, to put together a strong challenge.

United’s first three home fixtures are all against sides relegated from League One, start on the opening day with Crawley Town on August 8, followed by clashes with Notts County and Yeovil Town.

Roofe, who signed a three-year deal last month following a successful loan spell, is impatient to get started after being unable to force his way into first-team contention at West Brom.

And the 22-year-old believes the schedule gives the U’s a chance to show their credentials.

He said: “The best case scenario is we play the so-called better teams and win, then it has a psychological impact.

“Other teams would think ‘Oxford are beating all these top teams’ and they would be fearing us, which would work in our favour.”

He added: “It didn’t work out (at West Brom), so this is my first proper season I’m really looking at the fixtures.

“It’s just about getting my head down now and really focusing so I’m ready for the first game.

“I can’t wait.”

United teammate Chey Dunkley is also upbeat about the challenge and thinks within weeks of the season starting they will have a good idea of their chances.

The defender said: “I see we’ve got a few ex-League One teams early on, but we are aspiring to be a League One side soon.

“They’re not teams that faze us, we need to be prepared for those kinds of sides.

“I was happy to see we Are at home for the first game.

“It’s good to open in front of our own fans.”

United have also been handed the boost of a home game on Boxing Day, for what is traditionally one of the biggest attendances of the season.

Exeter City are the visitors for the festive fixture, while the season also finishes at the Kassam Stadium, against Wycombe Wanderers.