MARK Sykes knows he must build on his stylish display against West Ham United if he is to force himself into the Oxford United team.

The midfielder was an early replacement for George Thorne in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win and produced an impressive performance, laying on United’s first two goals in a 4-0 win.

It came barely a month after the Northern Irishman was made available for a loan move by the U’s due to a lack of first-team opportunities.

Sykes is still yet to make an appearance in Sky Bet League One this season, but was called up by his country for games against Luxembourg and Germany earlier this month.

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The 22-year-old believes he has the ability to compete for a starting place and is up for the challenge.

“When the loan move was in the news, it never once came across my mind that I wanted to go,” he said.

“I know I’ve got to show I’m good enough to play in this team and I think I have recently.

“Since I came back from being with the Northern Ireland team I feel like I’ve been a bit of a different player.

“I’ve trained well and I think the gaffer’s noticed that. He threw me in against West Ham and I think I held my own.

“There’s obviously a couple of lads in front of me at the minute and I just need to get in and take my chance.”

Sykes has made just 15 appearances in English football since signing from Northern Irish club Glenavon in January.

Just four of those have come this season and he understandably took a while to adjust to the pace of the game after joining Wednesday’s game just 23 minutes in.

But in the second half he was a constant threat, consistently producing excellent deliveries from the right.

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“I didn’t actually have a warm-up – the gaffer just turned around and said ‘listen, you’re coming on’,” Sykes said.

“I took a few instructions and eased my way into the game.

“We changed the formation so I played inside off the right and I enjoyed the freedom out there.

“It meant I could get at players and set up a few goals.”

The midfielder was one of several fringe players given an opportunity by boss Karl Robinson.

And the U’s manager is confident the majority of his squad can still improve.

“I do believe there’s a lot more to come from a lot of our players and that’s what I’m excited about,” he said.

“I still think there’s a higher level of performance in there.”