Michael Appleton's Oxford United are a 'League One team in waiting' according to his former team-mate Paul Heckingbottom.

The Oxford manager and Barnsley head coach came through the Manchester United academy together and now go head-to-head in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final from 2.30pm on Sunday.

"Michael Appleton was a year above me at Man United and he's a great lad," Heckingbottom told the Chronicle.

"It's no shock to me that he has done as well as he has in coaching. "Our paths have only crossed a few times since but we always get on well and have plenty to talk about. It will be good to come up against him on Sunday and then have a beer with him afterwards."

Heckingbottom admits that his former Red Devils youth team colleague has the advantage on Sunday in terms of experience having managed nearly 200 games for Oxford, Blackburn, Blackpool and Portsmouth. But Heckingbottom has a team competing higher in the Football League, although Oxford – second in League Two after drawing their last two – are chasing automatic promotion while the Reds are on a League One play-off push.

The Barnsley boss said: "Oxford are a League One team in waiting. "Teams who have come up from League Two have done well in League One like Burton.  They have a good team with a good bench as well. They have beaten good teams in this run. They will fancy their chances just as much as we will."

Another familiar face to Heckingbottom at Wembley will be George Waring, who scored six goals in 19 games on loan at Oakwell from Stoke last season.

"George will feature at some point without doubt, whether it is off the bench or from the start. The majority of our players know him.  He'll be desperate to do well and it adds more spice for him that it is against us. He's probably one of four or five major threats that Oxford have."