Oxford United midfielder Mark Sykes has struggled for game time this season but put in a show-stopping performance on Wednesday night as the U’s eased past West Ham United.
The 22-year-old set up the first two of Oxford’s four goals after replacing the injured George Thorne midway through the first half and fans have witnessed his worth.
The midfielder, who was called up for Northern Ireland international duty but failed to feature, has made just four appearances this season and is yet to play in League One.
But his performances have been exceptional and even scored a late goal to provide the start of a comeback in the win over Millwall.
And despite being made available for loan by Karl Robinson, he is determined to prove his worth.
Sykes told the Oxford Mail: “When the loan move was in the news, it never once came across my mind that I wanted to go.”
“I know I’ve got to show I’m good enough to play in this team and I think I have recently.
“Since I came back from being with the Northern Ireland team I feel like I’ve been a bit of a different player. I’ve trained well and I think the gaffer’s noticed that. He threw me in against West Ham and I think I held my own.
“There’s obviously a couple of lads in front of me at the minute and I just need to get in and take my chance.”
The lack of game time may, in fact, help Sykes, with fitness and injuries coming in to affect the squad. Thorne is out, as too is Jamie Hanson, and despite the return of Shandon Baptiste, the midfielder could well be getting some deserved game time.
It could start as early as tomorrow when the U’s look to extend this impressive run to five games without defeat when Gillingham visit the Kassam Stadium.
