ROB Atkinson is raring to push on after an eventful first month as a football league player.

The 22-year-old took his opportunity following the summer departure of Rob Dickie and has established himself at the heart of Oxford United’s backline.

In the space of four games, Atkinson has been sent off on his league debut and played in three different defensive combinations due to the U’s injury woes.

But the centre back has impressed boss Karl Robinson and will look to get a first clean sheet under his belt in today’s home game against Crewe Alexandra.

It has been a learning curve for Atkinson, even down to receiving his first red card – which was later rescinded – in United’s Sky Bet League One opener at Lincoln City.

He said: “I’ve never actually been sent off in football.

“I think I should have been sent off for a double yellow and it was an easy way out for the ref.

“I think I’ve done pretty well, but it doesn’t matter as we haven’t been getting the results.

“From an individual point of view I think I’ve fitted in.

“The boys have made it easy for me, it’s a good team and I’m looking forward to building on this first month.”

Atkinson joined United from Eastleigh in January and was soon loaned back to the Vanarama National League side.

The move came a month after he faced today’s opponents in last season’s Emirates FA Cup, with Crewe winning 3-1.

Seven of the Cheshire club’s starting line-up that day also began last weekend’s 2-0 victory over MK Dons, which gave them their first points of the season.

It is the newly-promoted side’s first visit to the Kassam Stadium since January 2012 and Atkinson expects a testing afternoon.

He said: “They like to play football and so do we, so I think it’ll be a very good game to watch.

“It’s going to be tough and we’re going to have to work harder than them, but hopefully we can get our first home victory of the season.”

Today’s game is likely to come too early for Josh Ruffels, Jamie Hanson and Alex Gorrin, who all returned to training this week.

TODAY’S TEAMS

Oxford Utd: from Eastwood, Clare, Moore, Atkinson, Long, Kelly, Henry, Forde, Hall, Taylor, Agyei, Stevens, Ruffels, Elechi, McGuane, Brannagan, Cooper, Osei.

Crewe Alexandra: from Jaaskelainen, Ng, Beckles, Offord, Pickering, Murphy, Wintle, Finney, Dale, Mandron, Kirk, Lowery, Ainley, Richards, Zanzala, Lancashire, Lundstram, Sass-Davies.