SIMON Eastwood is embracing the challenge of adapting his game to fit the modern style of goalkeeping.

The Oxford United stopper has made an effort to become more of a ‘sweeper keeper’ in the early weeks of the season, starting further off his line and helping his side play out of defence.

It comes after Eastwood got the nod over Jack Stevens as first-choice, despite losing the No 1 shirt to his teammate over the summer.

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The 33-year-old is into his seventh campaign with the U’s and is approaching 250 appearances, but revealed a conversation with goalkeeping coach Wayne Brown in pre-season led to a change of approach.

Eastwood said: “I’m going through a little bit of a transition, playing a new style of football that the manager and Wayne Brown want me to play.

“I’ve genuinely quite enjoyed it. I was a bit reluctant at the start because it’s not really me – the higher positions and almost being a ‘sweeper keeper’, taking a little bit more time on the ball when I get it, not just taking a touch and going long all the time.

“The fans probably aren’t used to seeing me doing that, but it’s definitely something I’m changing slowly but surely.

“The more I play, the better I’m getting at it but if you look at the sweeper keepers there are going to be passes that go astray, so you might get caught out a couple of times.

“That’s the risk and the reward, if you’re a keeper nowadays and you can’t adjust to it you get left behind.

“I wanted to learn to play like that, it’s a big thing for me because I’ve been used to an older style of keeper whacking it first time and playing it long.

“I’m getting it a lot higher off the defenders and really trying to relax, take my time and pick my passes.”

Eastwood’s composure in possession will be tested when United go to Plymouth Argyle in Sky Bet League One tonight (7.45pm).

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The Home Park crowd are known for creating a hostile atmosphere and they will be buoyed by their side’s promising start to the season.

Plymouth sit third in League One after claiming three wins out of three in Devon, beating Barnsley, Peterborough United and Bolton Wanderers.

The U’s have found form with victories over Cheltenham Town and Burton Albion, but Eastwood knows how tough it will be to get anything at Home Park.

He said: “We’re going to have to play brilliantly to get the win.

“We’ve had a poor start and we’ve turned that around a bit.

“The performances are slowly getting better, but we’re still not there just yet.

“The next two games are tough, they’re games we want to play in.

“I always enjoy playing there, it’s a great atmosphere and a full house.

“It should be a great night, but we’ll have to be at our best to get anything.”