DES Buckingham was pleased with Joe Bennett’s display yesterday, as he made his first Sky Bet League One start for Oxford United.

Bennett arrived as a free agent on November 30, to help the U’s manage the absence of Greg Leigh while the Jamaica international nurses a calf injury.

The 33-year-old started and played just over an hour in the EFL Trophy win at Forest Green Rovers, before league appearances from the bench at Peterborough United and Reading.

He managed the full 90 minutes in the 3-0 win at home to Burton Albion, and Buckingham was delighted with what he saw.

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United’s head coach said: “I thought he was very good. He showed his experience, he’s a slightly older player compared to a lot of the other players on the field, and he can manage himself through a game.

“There was a temptation to rush and put him in too soon, but if we did that, we’d have put him at risk.

“There was a temptation to take him off, but the way the game was played, he’s a smart enough professional to manage himself.

“Ciaron’s [Brown] been out of position, and playing well, but this just gives us an alternative should we want to use it.

“It’ll also make sure that when we welcome Sam Long and Greg Leigh back, we’ll really strengthen those areas and give us some flexibility.”