RYAN Williams is hoping the long wait for a first career start can end when Oxford United visit Charlton Athletic tonight.

The 19-year-old joined the U’s on loan from Fulham last Friday and was an unused substitute in Saturday’s 4-1 win at Portsmouth in Sky Bet League Two.

Williams, an Australia under 20 international, has not played a minute of first-team football in 18 months at the Premier League side.

His only senior football came in half a dozen appearances for Portsmouth two seasons ago.

Williams is fired up to make an impact during his six-month spell with the U’s and with manager Chris Wilder considering changes, the winger could have an opportunity as early as this evening’s game at The Valley.

He said: “I didn’t come here to make up the numbers. I want to play and fight for my spot, that’s what the gaffer has asked me to do.

“I’ve only ever played six professional games and never started one, so if I did start against Charlton it would be a first for me.

“I just want to get my first game out of the way and then hopefully kick on from there.

“It would be great to play against a good Championship side.”

There is plenty of incentive to reach the next round, where the likes of Liverpool, Newcastle United and Williams’s parent club Fulham enter the competition.

He said: “In the next round we could get a Premier League team, you never know, that would be exciting for all of us.

“We just need to stay compact and play well, like we did on Saturday, and I’m sure we’ll do a lot more damage.”