FOUR weeks into life as a professional footballer, Jonny Giles has found the challenge stepping up from university football is as big mentally as it is physically.

Rarely can Oxford United have signed a player, certainly in recent times, who has arrived via such an unorthodox route.

The 21-year-old caught the eye playing while studying for a physics degree at Durham and made a handful of non-league appearances for Durham City and Ashington AFC.

His summer was spent training and trialling, before United gave him a chance.

Giles completed 90 minutes in their development side for the first time on Tuesday, helping the U’s to a 4-0 win against Swindon Town.

The winger is pleased to have settled in quickly, while admitting adjusting to life as a professional has been a steep learning curve for both brain and legs.

He said: “The muscles were sore getting used to training every day, but now I feel I’m getting into the swing of things.

“It was a bit of a shock to realise this is what I’m doing now for the foreseeable future.

“A lot of these boys have been playing for years and years.

“There has been a lot of physical stuff with training every day, but also it’s learning the game.

“Learning what movements to make, that’s a big part of what I’ve been trying to improve.

“Chris Allen (assistant first team coach) has been great helping me out.

“He’s telling me where to run and what to do all the time, which is really helpful.

“I remember it for the next game and hopefully I do it before he says it.

“There’s a lot of mental aspect of the game which I knew was there, but I’ve realised there’s a lot to take in.”

It may yet be some time before U’s supporters get to see his name in a first-team matchday squad, although he did not look out of place in the development team in midweek.

Waiting is not a problem though for Giles, who has a keen sense of perspective.

“The thing is, I can be patient with stuff like this,” he said.

“Realistically, I’ve been a professional footballer for a month, if I was 18 no-one would be asking these questions.

“I try not to think about that, all I’ve got to do is focus on improving and trying to play my best.

“If the manager thinks I deserve a shot then I do.

“It’s up to him and he will make the right call.”

  • WHILE it is early days for Jonny Giles’s career as a footballer, Oxford United head coach Michael Appleton has been encouraged by the initial progress.

The U’s boss was an interested spectator at the club’s training ground on Tuesday, when the 21-yearold completed 90 minutes for the development side.

Appleton believes there is still a long way to go, but likes what he has seen.

He said: “I’ve been delighted with him.

“He’s quicker than people give him credit for but he is raw.

“He will learn over time when to shoot, when to cross and when to do neither and keep the ball.

“I just watch him do things and I say ‘he’s just got something’.

“The fact he’s only been training professionally for a few weeks is great really.”

And Appleton thinks a loan move in the new year could accelerate Giles’s development.

He said: “I think it’s important we keep him in with us at least until January so he gets to understand how we play, which he’s picking up all the time.

“If he’s not in and around (the first team) by that point then I think it would be a good idea to get him out to the right place on loan and get him some adult football.”