ALEX Gorrin is not known for scoring goals – but the Oxford United midfielder is trying to change that.

The 28-year-old has found the net just once in 93 U’s appearances, slotting away a penalty to earn a 1-1 draw at Portsmouth last November.

Gorrin is in the team for his ability to stop the opposition breaching United’s defence, of course, rather than making a difference at the other end.

But the Spaniard is getting higher up the pitch than at any time in his U’s career and he revealed it is no accident.

Gorrin said: “It’s something I’ve been doing in training, just to be more aggressive on the ball.

“Hopefully something lands to me, if I can put it in the back of the net and we get three points then happy days.”

He added: “I just keep passing it to Cam (Brannagan) because he has a better shot than me.

“I need to shoot, I get into good positions.

“I just want us to win, so I don’t care who scores.”

Gorrin has played 39 times since his goal at Fratton Park, when he grabbed the ball to score from the spot.

That came with regular penalty-takers James Henry, Anthony Forde and Matty Taylor all off the pitch, but now the midfielder is keen to open his account from open play.

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Gorrin has been given the green light to get forward more often – and it does not just mean United have another body joining attacks.

He said: “I’m being given a bit more free rein.

“If I can join in a bit more, then the (opposition’s) No 10 needs to follow me.

“It’s something that we look at, if I get forward he needs to come and mark me.”

Gorrin has started every Sky Bet League One game since missing the visit to Cambridge United on the opening day of the season.

He was on the bench at the Abbey Stadium, but still working his way back to match-fitness having been one of the 12 U’s players forced to self-isolating following a Covid outbreak in July.

It came after the former Sunderland trainee struggled with injuries at the start and end of last season, although he is now back up to speed and produced a combative display in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Wycombe Wanderers.

Gorrin collected his third booking of the campaign deep in stoppage-time and two more will trigger a one-match ban.

He picked up 15 in 2019/20 and another nine last season, but insists the fear of a suspension never crosses his mind during a game.

Gorrin said: “I never look at it, if there’s a tackle there to win I’m going to win it.

“I don’t think I ever will, it’s just part of the game.

“If I’m not tackling I’m not as effective.

“It’s something I have to do – if I get a yellow card then I try to stay on my feet (for the rest of the game).”