CIARON Brown says Gavin Whyte is always keen to hear what life is like at Oxford United.

The Northern Ireland pair have been reunited on international duty this week after spending time on loan at the Kassam Stadium last season, joining from Cardiff City.

It was Whyte’s second spell with the U’s, who gave the winger his chance in English football when they signed him from Crusaders in 2018.

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Brown returned to United permanently in June and, ahead of this evening’s Nations League clash with Kosovo, revealed the club still holds a special place in his teammate’s heart.

“He’s a good guy and a good player, so it’s nice to see a familiar face,” the defender said.

“He’s always asking me how it’s going, how the team is and how certain players are.

“He always keeps in contact because he loves this club.

“When I see him, the first thing we talk about is Oxford. He’s always interested and looks at what’s going on.”

The duo’s careers have mirrored each other since Whyte left the U’s for Cardiff in July 2019.

Brown, who joined the Bluebirds in January 2018, gained his first Northern Ireland cap in September 2019 and both players have been international regulars since then.

Whyte returned to United on a season-long loan last summer, before Brown made a temporary switch in the final hours of the January transfer window.

The latter was released by Cardiff at the end of the campaign and returned to the U’s on a two-year deal.

United are also understood to have held an interest in bringing Whyte back this summer.

The winger has made just four appearances for the Sky Bet Championship side this season, but could win his 28th Northern Ireland cap in tonight’s sold-out clash at Windsor Park.

Brown has played 12 times for his country, starting the last three games.