A former Oxford United Women’s player has opened up on how training with the U’s men’s team has helped her career in the game.

Beth Lumsden netted 27 times in 33 appearances for United in 2021/22 before leaving for Southampton.

The winger then went on to sign for Portsmouth before joining Newcastle in January.

The 24-year-old has since spoken about how training with former U’s manager Karl Robinson’s side improved her physically.

Speaking to nufc.co.uk, Lumsden said: "It came about very weird. Karl, the men's manager, had a lot to do with the women's team, trying to help out whenever he could.

"I said to him about wanting to get more contact time on the ball and he just invited me down during the day to train with the men."

She went on to train with the men's side for around four months.

"They were obviously going to be quicker and stronger but that helped me out physically,"  Lumsden said.

She admitted it was “tough at first” as she didn't know what reaction she would get joining the men’s team.

“I think once they see that you can play football they accepted me really well,” Lumsden said.

"They were all really nice to me and it was good to be training during the day and getting that experience and learning what a full-time schedule was like."