CAMERON Brannagan is glad to see a familiar face in new boy Brandon Barker – and says the U’s have got themselves a ‘top player’ in the Rangers loanee.

Barker has already shown United fans what he is capable of in his first two appearances.

An impressive first half showing at Doncaster Rovers was backed up with a goal from the bench against Bristol Rovers.

Brannagan, his fellow Mancunian, said there will be more to come from Barker.

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“He’s a good kid, I’ve known him for a while now and played for England with him when I was younger,” he said.

“He’s from Manchester so we’ve always knew each other through friends.

“He’s going to bring a lot to the table.

“He’s not played in a while but once he gets up and running, it’s good for the side, there’s going to be a lot of competition and I think that’ll push people to the limits and that’s what we want.

“He’s a top player and a top kid so hopefully he’ll show everybody what he can do.”

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The addition of Barker, and fellow loan signing Elliot Lee, increases the options Karl Robinson has at his disposal, with Brannagan relishing the competition for places.

“The competition is healthy and very good for the team,” he said.

“You want competition because people can get a bit lacksey-daisy so everybody pushing each other is good.

“Training’s at it and we’ll always be a team no matter what, if there’s people on the bench, they are going to be frustrated but they’ve got to make the impact when they come on.

“The competition is very strong and for me personally I like that, it’s going to push everyone on to the best of their abilities.”

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Brannagan himself is rediscovering his best form following the eye injury which almost caused him to lose his sight.

“Physically I feel good, and personally I set my standards very high,” he said.

“I feel like I can improve a lot at the minute, I can create and score more, and hopefully once I get one, I can get a couple and start contributing more to goals and assists.

“I can’t be too hard on myself, I have to look back to where I’ve come from.”

Barker said: “It makes it ten times easier when there’s a familiar face, me and Cam played for England quite a lot and against each other growing up.

“Cam’s a top player, he’s proven that here over the last few years and both our goals are to get Oxford promoted.”