FORMER Plymouth captain Paul Wotton is desperate to line up against Exeter City at St Mary’s on Boxing Day.

The 32-year-old spent his entire career with the Grecians’ rivals, Argyle, before moving to Saints in the summer of 2008.

The Plymouth-born midfielder would like nothing more than another crack at Exeter when they visit Saints on Saturday.

He has already been part of one success over the West Country side since moving to St Mary’s, helping Saints dispatch them from the Carling Cup last season, in a 3-1 first round win at St James Park.

“It’s a game that I’d dearly love to play in because I’ve obviously got a bit of history with Exeter,” said Wotton.

“I’ve got a good record against them so I hope I can keep that going.

“I got a warm reception when we went there last year so I’ll take another one because it will be a cold day.”

But, although Exeter may be regarded as a sworn enemy of Plymouth, Wotton holds plenty of respect for Paul Tisdale’s team, who have won back-to-back promotions, taking them from the Blue Square Premier to League One.

“First and foremost, Paul Tisdale has done an amazing job there because it wasn’t so long ago that Exeter were in the Conference,” he said.

“Being a Plymouth boy and a part of the area for so many years it’s no harm for me to say that I’m really glad of where Exeter are because Devon needs three clubs in the Football League.

“I have been impressed with what they have done, they’re doing really well and they play football in the right way, so we’ll have to be on our game on Boxing Day.

“It’s a game we’re looking forward to, but so far Exeter have done really well.”

Although some people in football might not be, Wotton is a big fan of the Christmas period and relishes it every year.

“People say that the downside to being a footballer is Christmas, but the Boxing Day game is a great one to play in, it’s like the first day of the season,” he said.

“The family always come out for it, it’s always a great game with a good atmosphere so it should be good to play in.

“You want to get out there and get away from the kids messing about with presents and all sorts of stuff like that, so it’s good to get back to normal and play a game.

“Christmas Day for us is another day.

“We’ll be in training same as always and I always look at it as a way of picking up points quickly, with a couple of games in three days.”