Jamie Brooks is determined to keep his place in the Oxford United side because of hard work - not through sympathy.

Brooks has come off the bench to play in United's last two matches, the first competitive appearances the 21-year-old has made since fighting back from the life-threatening Guillain-Barre Syndrome two-and-a-half years ago.

And now he is back in the U's squad, Brooks says that he is totally focused on keeping his place.

"I just want people to know that I am in the 16 (man squad) because I deserve to be," he said.

"There are still some people who feel sorry for me and think that is why I am being put on the bench, but that is not the case.

"I know that I have been a sub before to give myself a lift, but it's different now.

"I have really been buzzing in training of late and feeling great about myself.

"That is why I have been given my chance."

However, although Brooks continues to be one ray of light around an otherwise gloomy Kassam Stadium, he knows that he cannot change the fortunes of the team single-handedly.

On Saturday, a dejected home crowd were given an almighty lift when caretaker-manager Darren Patterson sent on Brooks in place of Mark E'Beyer with 30 minutes remaining.

He produced a couple of touches which triggered memories of three years ago, when an emerging 18-year-old collected all four player-of-the-year awards and hit ten goals in 18 games.

But he knows that he is not quite there yet.

"I have worked really hard and am feeling much more like my old self," he added.

"I am pushing myself all the time in training, and it is great to have got on.

"It has been a matter of setting myself little targets, and now that I have got back to playing for the first team again, my next one is to start a game."

Brooks came through 90 minutes for United's reserves on Tuesday, but it waits to be seen if Patterson gives him the nod to start Saturday's relegation battle at Chester.

"By Christmas, I would have liked to have started a few games," Brooks said.

"But I will keep working as hard as I can both in training and in matches, and do all I can to give the manager something to think about.

"And when I am picked to start a game, I will have deserved it."