ON-LOAN Cardiff defender Mickey Corcoran reckons playing for Oxford United is making him a better footballer - and improving his international prospects.

The 19-year-old, who appears for Northern Ireland against Wales at the Oval (Glentoran's ground) in an Under 21 friendly today, gave an impressive performance on his senior debut for the U's on Saturday.

And, after the 1-1 draw with Cambridge, he said: "Playing here should be better for me both with Cardiff and Northern Ireland because it's a lot more physical.

"This is a lot better than playing reserve-team football.

"There's three points up for grabs, they're fighting to avoid relegation, we're fighting for promotion . . . it's a lot better for me as a young player to get that experience.

"In reserve-team football there are a lot more younger boys, but here you've got players of all ages - a lot bigger players - and it's a much more physical game."

Corcoran wasn't unhappy with the way he played on his debut, especially as he was understandably nervous.

"I was quite pleased," he said. "It was a lot more physical than playing for Cardiff City Reserves. It was just a different level, but I thought I did all right.

"The nerves weren't the best at the start, but a few early tackles helped out."

Corcoran's reading of the game and passing were assured, and the teenager said it helped having experienced players around him.

"To have the likes of Gilly (Phil Gilchrist) at the back with loads of experience, he helped me to get through it," he added.

"I used to be a central midfielder, so I'm quite confident on the ball.

"I was just happy to get the ball down and get passing it out of defence and just keep it moving."

The only blemish on Corcoran's performance was the goal Cambridge scored from a free-kick, when Andy Duncan headed in.

"He just got across me, there's not a lot else I could really have done about it, the ball just came in low," he said. "I should have just got tighter.

"We were very deep in defence and that's something we can think about for the next game.

"We got the goal in the end, but we should have gone on to win it, with a bit more luck. We were the better side."