DAN AGYEI knows Oxford United’s upturn in form means he will have to work even harder for a place in the side.

The striker has made 21 appearances for the U’s this season, but only seven of those were starts.

It means the 23-year-old has had to make the most of his opportunities, which he did to devastating effect against Northampton Town in United’s last outing seven days ago.

Agyei made one goal and scored another in the 4-0 thrashing of the Cobblers – despite only entering the action in the 86th minute.

The victory stretched United’s unbeaten run to five games and the forward felt it was a sign of things to come.

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He said: “We showed we have real quality in the team and competition for places is really high.

“That’s a good thing, as it shows we have ambition and want to go somewhere.”

Agyei’s goal, a curling effort from the edge of the box, was similar to his equaliser in the 3-2 win at Shrewsbury Town in March and the striker insisted it was no coincidence.

“Every attacking player wants to be scoring goals and creating chances,” he said.

“I always tell myself if you don’t shoot, you don’t score.

“When I’m in those situations, more often than not I’ll try to score.”

U’s boss Karl Robinson has deployed Agyei across the front three so far this season as he seeks to harness the striker’s pace and strength.

While he had little experience on either flank before joining United, the former Burnley man is happy to be flexible.

He said: “I’ve played down the middle my whole life, but I’m starting to enjoy the wing.

“I feel like I can get at players a lot more.”