JAMES Constable knows that he must deliver the goods in order to keep his place in Oxford United’s starting line-up.

The U’s leading scorer, who found the net for the first time in seven matches with a double in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Bristol Rovers, says that confidence among the strikers at the club is sky-high.

And that puts pressure on everyone to perform.

The last three games have seen forwards Constable, Deane Smalley and Rob Hall hit crucial strikes to give United victories.

Smalley scored his first goal in last week’s win over Aldershot in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, but had to settle for a place on the bench against Rovers, with Constable recalled to the side.

And Constable is all too aware that with others desperate for his place, the goals must come.

“It’s funny how other strikers scoring puts that little bit more pressure on you,” he said.

“Deane has been great and maybe had been lacking a bit of confidence before he got that goal at Aldershot last week.

“But I am sure that will be the first of many goals he scores for us.

“As a striker you obviously are desperate to get goals, and you want to keep up with your teammates – especially in the scoring charts.

“Before Saturday myself, Robbie and Simon Heslop were all on three goals and it does put that little bit of pressure on you.

“In the position that I play, confidence is massive and goals always breed confidence.”

Oxford Utd’s leading scorers this season: J Constable 5, R Hall 3, S Heslop 3, L Davis 2, P Leven 2, P McLaren 1, A Potter 1, D Smalley 1, S Clist 1, L Guy 1.