Young striker James Roberts expressed his delight after signing a deal that will keep him at Oxford United until 2018.

The 18-year-old, from Aylesbury, who has broken into the first team this season after scoring regularly for the youth and development teams, yesterday agreed an extension to his contract until the end of 2017/18.

Roberts said: “Being offered a pro contract was a great feeling and now to get a longer deal gives me a fantastic chance to show what I can do.

“The staff and coaches here have helped me a lot.

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“Now all I want to do is reward the faith they have shown in me by pushing for a first- team place and hopefully scoring a few goals.”

Head coach Michael Appleton added: “James has scored plenty of goals, but he also works incredibly hard at his game and is improving all the time.

“He knows there are still things he can work on, but he has earned his place in the first team squad and we are very pleased that he has committed his future to the club long-term.”

Roberts could cap a fine week by making his first start for United in today’s FA Cup clash at Grimsby Town.

He has come off the bench in the last five games for the U’s and his displays as a substitute could prompt Appleton to call on him as a replacement for the suspended Danny Hylton.

The U’s boss confirmed that there will be at least one more change, with some fringe players.

That could also mean a recall for another teenager, Callum O’Dowda, who was lively during a brief cameo role against Wycombe Wanderers last Saturday.

Appleton said: “There’s a couple of people who have been chomping at the bit of late and I think they do deserve an opportunity.

“We have had two lads who have missed the last few days training – Tareiq (Holmes-Dennis) and Jake (Wright) – because of knocks they picked up on Saturday, but I expect them to be ok.”

Grimsby are on a five-game winning run and Appleton, whose side have lost their last two games, knows it will be a tough test.

Appleton said: “We are desperate to get into the next round and most importantly, we want to go into the York game next week full of confidence on the back of a victory.”

Grimsby are without Scott Brown (ankle) and have a doubt over Carl Magnay.

On-loan Harry Pell has been refused permission to play by parent club AFC Wimbledon.

Today's squads

Grimsby Tn: from McKeown, Mahnay, Nsiala, Pearson, Thomas, Clay, Disley, Mackreth, John-Lewis, Arnold, Bignot, Hannah, Neilson, Pittman, McLaughlin, Doig, Winfarrah, Walker, Humble.
Oxford Utd: from Clarke, Riley, Mullins, Wright, Holmes-Dennis, Collins, Whing, Rose, Roberts, O’Dowda, Barnett, Potter, Howard, Meades, Raynes, Ruffels, Crocombe, Ashby.

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