STUART Lewis believes tomorrow is the perfect time for derby day - saying there's no reason why Wanderers can't claim the bragging rights against Oxford United.

The Blues skipper said he would have hand picked M40 rivals Oxford as the best opposition to play if he was given a free hand over the League Two fixtures.

He’s in defiant mood going into the derby - saying it's the first game he looked out for when the fixtures were released in the summer - and said Blues have been buoyed by their display at Morecambe on Saturday.

Lewis said: "I don't think we could wish for a better game at the minute. It'll be a great atmosphere and hopefully we can start a good run of form with that game.

"If I could pick a game to play, it would be Oxford. I know they are flying high but that goes out the window in the derby.

"If we really bring it, we can start the second half of the season at home better than we finished the first half."

Lewis is also looking forward to the atmosphere that comes with the occasion, with well over 1,500 Oxford fans expected to make the short journey to Adams Park.

Suspension meant he missed out on the first game against the U's, meaning the midfielder is even more pumped up than usual - but the 26-year-old admits Wanderers need to up their game if they're to improve on their stuttering home form.

He said: "It's one of the best games of the season, home and away to Oxford. If the fans can bring their voices it will be a good atmosphere, but we need to bring our performance. At home we know we've not been good enough and it's down to us to lift them, put tackles in and bring out what we brought against Morecambe.

"You always look out for home and away to Oxford. These games are the ones you look forward to. I can't wait now - we've turned it around from a not good enough, very disappointing result last week against Wimbledon and if we can really attack Oxford I can't see a reason why we can't beat them."

Fellow midfielder Matt Bloomfield added: "I've played in plenty of them and had a few wins along the way. I'm sure the fans will get right behind us."