SWINDON manager Paolo Di Canio will pit his wits against Town legend Lou Macari at the County Ground tonight in a charity match in aid of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance, writes ANDY WARREN.

The pair will each manage teams made up of former Town players and celebrities, while Di Canio will also don his boots for the game which kicks off at 7pm.

The Italian will lead a side including former West Ham team mate Julian Dicks, as well as Sky Sports pundit Chris Kamara and the majority of his backroom staff and youth team manager Paul Bodin, while the likes of Lee Peacock, Christian Roberts, Sammy Igoe and Micky Hazard will also return to the County Ground.

In goal for Macari’s side will be Town legend Fraser Digby, and the former keeper is excited to be back on the County Ground pitch once again.

“There are obviously some very good players who will be playing in the game, and I am sure it will be a great occasion, and raise some good money for charity,” he said.

“It will be great to get back on the pitch at the County Ground again because I have a lot of good memories there from my playing days.

“As a retired football I think the thing you miss the most is the banter and the team spirit, and you can’t reproduce that in any job in normal life, so to play again is great. It doesn’t matter what era the players played in, there is always an association and it is always fun.”

While Digby never faced Di Canio during his playing days, the two have gone head to head since they retired, and the former keeper is looking forward to doing so once again.

“I have been playing a bit for a Manchester United legends team out in Asia, and a couple of years ago we played against a Milan team which included the likes of Baresi, Costacurta and Di Canio too.,” said Digby.

“He certainly still had the ability then, and I am sure he still does now, so I can’t wait to share a pitch with him.”

Dicks played alongside Di Canio at former club West Ham, and is proud to be able to come to Swindon for a good cause and to catch up with an old friend.

“It is always nice to be able to play, especially when it is for charity, and it will be great to catch up with Paolo again.,” he said.

“We were together for a few months at West Ham and it will be great to see him again because he is a great guy.

“He wears his heart on his sleeve and I always look out for his results, it is great he is doing so well.”

Also involved in the game will be Soccer AM presenter Max Rushden and presenters Jonathan Wilkes and Ben Shephard.

Tickets are still available for tonight’s game and can be purchased on the gate, costing £5 for adult and £3 for concessions.