James Roberts is in no mood to rest on his laurels as the young Oxford United striker looks to feature in a fourth successive game when they visit Carlisle United tomorrow.

The 18-year-old made his debut in the 5-1 defeat at Cambridge United a fortnight ago and has also been a late substitute in the wins over Tranmere Rovers and Northampton Town in the last week.

His prospects of game time at Brunton Park improved when United ended Carlton Morris’s loan spell yesterday, the forward returning to parent club Norwich City.

Some first year professionals can take time to adjust to senior football, but after getting a taste of it, Roberts wants much more.

 

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He said: “You haven’t really got time to think about ‘I’ll do this in a certain amount of months’.

“You’ve got to set quick goals and you’ve got to set high goals, otherwise you’re not going to get anywhere.

“The aim was always to get into the first-team as quickly as possible and thankfully I’ve done that.

“It’s only been a couple of months of the season and I’m already breaking through.

“For the three games I’ve had, as difficult as it was at Cambridge, I think I’ve had positive impacts in all of them, which is massive.

“If I keep doing that then hopefully I’ll give the manager a decision to make.”

The rapid progress made by Roberts saw him overtake Morris in the pecking order.

It prompted the loanee, who started United’s first seven games, to call time on his stay at the club and return to Norwich.

U’s boss Michael Appleton said: “Obviously there’s a little bit of frustration that he’s not had the game time over the last four or five games, which is understandable.

“I think he’s been a little bit unfortunate because since coming into the club we’ve brought in Tyrone and Will Hoskins, albeit he got injured.

“Since then there’s been an emergence of young James Roberts, who has come off the bench and looked lively.”

For Roberts, taking the next step would mean playing larger chunks of games – and finding the back of the net.

He said: “That’s the main thing, it will be a weight off my shoulders when I score.

“But I’m not worrying about it, I haven’t had that long on the pitch so I’m just making sure I keep calm and when I get the chance I take it.

He added: “It’s brilliant to be involved and making my debut, but I’m keeping my feet well and truly on the ground.”

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