JAKE Wright believes the number of players with Oxford United connections in Mansfield Town’s squad gives them an added incentive.

Even with Michael Raynes ruled out through a hamstring injury, the visitors could name four players in their squad who will have a point to prove.

As well as player/manager Adam Murray, there is also Simon Heslop, Junior Brown and former U’s triallist Ryan Tafazolli, who scored the opener in Mansfield’s 2-1 win against Michael Appleton’s men in August.

Wright is well aware of what will be going through their minds.

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The United skipper knows it means the group will be fired up, but admitted it could work both ways, recalling a red card at Valley Parade in 2010.

He said: “When you go back to somewhere it can have a negative or positive effect.

“I remember when I went back to Bradford for the first time it had a really negative effect on me.

“I got too carried away and wanted to prove too much to them that I was a good player.

“But it can have a positive effect where you give an extra five per cent and I’m sure they will be coming to do the same.”

Wright spent six months in the United changing room with Murray.

The centre back said the midfielder had a positive influence and was not surprised to see him step into management.

He said: “When I came in, he had a lot of injuries and was struggling, but he was good with me.

“Even though I was a young lad I used to say what I thought – he liked that and even though he wasn’t playing he had a big part to play.

“You could see him going on to become a manager.”