Steve McGavin has warned Wycombe Wanderers he is ready to make them pay for nearly wrecking his career.

The 15-goal U's striker returns to Adams Park tomorrow (Saturday)for a game which could see Steve Whitton's side safeguard their Second Division future.

McGavin, 31, was booted out by ex-Wanderers boss Neil Smillie last season amid fears a foot injury had finished his career.

But McGavin, just one strike away from his 50th League goal, is aiming to prove the U's old rivals they were wrong to let him go.

He said today (Friday): "Wycombe threw me on the soccer scrapheap because they thought I was finished.

"Now I'm aiming to go out there tomorrow and prove a few people at the club they were wrong. A lot of people at Wycombe thought I was finished because I was out for nearly a year with a foot injury.

"It would be nice to go back there and put one over on them after such a disappointing end to my time at the club. If I can get the goal tomorrow which wins us the game and makes sure we are safe from relegation that would prove a few people they were wrong.

"I had such a good time at Wycombe and have a lot of friends there, but it was soured by my experience near the end of my spell.

"When I came back from the injury Smillie wouldn't even put me on the bench and that really hurt."

He's expecting a rough ride from the Wycombe fans when he returns with the club who kick-started his career in 1991. But McGavin, who scored for the U's in the first League meeting between the two clubs in 1993, knows it's part and parcel of the game.

He added: "They're bound to give me some stick but I'm sure it will all be good-natured banter.

"I was a bit of a favourite with them then and they weren't very happy when I left. But I'll ignore anything they have to say and concentrate on events on the pitch.

"Going back is sure to add some spice to the occasion and I just hope I can tuck one away to silence the crowd."

The U's will definitely be without Andy Arnott but Efe Sodje is in the squad after returning from international duty with Nigeria.

Sodje, who has been called up to represent his country again in the World Cup qualifier against Eritrea on April 22, jets out to Lagos next week and will miss the game at Cambridge the following Saturday.

But he is now expected to touch down in England in time to travel with the team for their Easter Monday fixture at Wrexham.

Out for revenge - Steve McGavin revisits former club Wycombe

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