BILLY Bodin is hoping his Oxford United teammates can feed off what will be a fiery welcome from Bristol Rovers this afternoon.

At the request of police, the fixture was moved forward to a 12.30pm kick-off.

The last time United fans attended a league game at the Memorial Stadium, Karl Robinson’s side received a police escort to the ground amid a hostile atmosphere.

U’s striker Matty Taylor played for Rovers for two and a half years, before leaving for rivals Bristol City on deadline day in January 2017.

His first game back at Rovers, in August 2019, was with the U’s and led to the police escort.

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Bodin though has fond memories of his own time at Rovers, having spent two and a half successful years with the club from 2015 to 2018.

The 30-year-old suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in 2014, while at Torquay United, and went on to join the Pirates in August 2015, after an injury-hit 18 months.

He scored 37 goals in 107 games, helping the club gain promotion from Sky Bet League Two in 2016.

“It’s somewhere that gave me the chance back in football,” Bodin said.

“I was without a club and went on trial and the rest is history.

“I had a good spell there so I’ve got fond memories.”

Compared to Taylor though, Bodin knows he’ll receive a warmer welcome as United also seek to rectify the Emirates FA Cup collapse at Rovers in November.

On the reception he’s expecting, Bodin said: “Hopefully it’ll be fairly good, it was last time, obviously not so much for my teammate.

“Whenever I’ve gone back there it’s always been good so hopefully that will continue.

“I think someone gave his [Taylor] phone number out and he was getting all sorts of threats, which was disappointing.

“It was a bad night when we got done in the cup, so hopefully we can get a better result this time.”

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Players will already have to factor in expected temperatures of 31C at kick-off this afternoon, while also dealing with a lively crowd.

“Once the fans get going it’s quite a hostile place if you’re in the opposition, but if you’re a Rovers player you feed off it,” Bodin said.

“Hopefully we can turn that around on Saturday, stamp our authority on the game and get the result we need.”

After starting on the left against Derby County and Cambridge United in the league, but as a striker in the Carabao Cup in midweek, United’s No 7 said he is happy to play wherever.

“I probably find playing up front or in the 10 my most natural,” he said.

“I prefer being in the centre of the pitch – whether it be a bit deeper or higher up.

“It was tough, especially against a team like Swansea who almost overplay and make the attackers work as hard as they can.

“I played up there two or three times last year and I don’t mind anywhere I play.

“If I have to get chucked up top again I don’t mind it, I probably played there from the age of seven to 19 or 20.

“I like playing up there, but we’ve got a new signing there [Kyle Joseph] so as long as I’m on the pitch that’s all that matters.”