SIMON Eastwood is making sure Oxford United’s players are aware today’s derby with Swindon Town is not just any other game.

The goalkeeper is one of only four members of the U’s squad with experience of the fixture, facing the Wiltshire side three times in the 2016/17 season.

The first of those meetings, a 2-0 win at the Kassam Stadium in September 2016, was just Eastwood’s tenth appearance for United after signing from Blackburn Rovers that summer.

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He had been warned about the significance of the derby and revealed it did not disappoint.

The 31-year-old said: “When you’ve not played in this game before you’re expecting something quite big and it did deliver.

“After the first game I saw the fans and you realise going into the second game how big it is.

“I’ve got the experience of that now.

“I do think it’s a different game. It’s the big one for the club and the fans, Oxford talk about Swindon and Swindon talk about Oxford.”

With United 18th in Sky Bet League One and only above their rivals on goal difference, a positive result is important for reasons other than bragging rights.

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But the U’s are also hoping to extend a proud record against Swindon, having claimed seven wins since their rivals last tasted a derby triumph in 2001.

Their most recent meeting came in February 2017, when Rob Hall’s spectacular strike secured a 2-1 victory at the County Ground.

The 27-year-old is set to come into the squad today in place of the suspended Sean Clare, while Josh Ruffels and Sam Long are the other current players who have faced Swindon in a yellow shirt.

Along with Eastwood, they will be drumming home the importance of today to their teammates, even if fans cannot be there.

United's No 1 said: “Everybody’s thinking that it would be great with a full house.

“I feel I know how important it is and it’s up to me to reiterate that to the younger boys.

“I’ve been at many clubs, but this is a little bit different.”

Swindon striker Brett Pitman is injured and is set to be replaced by Tyler Smith.