SAM Deering says he’s desperate to get back playing for Oxford United again – to remind the fans just what he can do.

The 18-year-old looks set to get his chance at the Kassam Stadium tomorrow, in some capacity, whether it’s from the start or as a substitute, because the U’s are without their main strikers, James Constable and Matt Green, for their FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie against Thurrock.

Deering has played only 60 minutes of competitive action in front of manager Chris Wilder.

That came last Boxing Day at Salisbury when he was outstanding, but then suffered a broken leg.

He did play for the U’s in pre-season, but the club felt it would benefit him more to go out on loan, and he spent a month at Blue Square South leaders Newport County.

He said: “I just want to play football again and get back into the team.

“Obviously the team’s doing really well at the moment, so it’s really hard to get into at the minute.

“It will mean a lot if I am involved, every game means a lot. I’ll just go out and try my hardest.

“And if I get the chance, I’ve got to take it with both hands.”

Deering feels his terrible injury is totally behind him now.

“The broken leg’s a thing of the past now, it’s gone,” he said.

“I’ve come back, played a few pre-season games, a couple of games at Newport County and feel back to normal.

“And in training I feel good, I’ve got a lot of my match fitness back and feel sharp.”

This is Wilder’s first FA Cup game as Oxford United manager, his predecessor Darren Patterson getting the sack after their exit from the competition at Torquay 11 months ago.

Wilder has the option of playing two up front, which would probably be Jack Midson and Jamie Cook, or, if he wanted to keep the same shape and retain the 4-3-3 system, he would need a right-sided attacking player – and Deering would fit the bill for that.

“We’ve worked on the shape we’re going to go with on Saturday,” said Wilder.

“Beano (Constable) and Greeny have been regulars almost all season, Green since the second game, and Beano having missed only the Kettering game.

“Their suspensions open it up for Jack Midson, who will start, and it might open it up a bit for others as well.”

Marcus Kelly is also in contention for a place, but Alfie Potter’s recent bout of glandular fever hit him so hard it will still be some time before he is strong enough to start.

Wilder has no doubts that Midson, who scored twice when coming off the bench in United’s 5-0 win over Grays in their last home game, can do the business.

“Jack’s a player we were delighted to get in the summer,” he said.

“He had his injury which kept him out, and the shape we’ve gone with has obviously worked and produced results and performances, so Jack’s been unfortunate.

“But his attitude’s been great and I think the reception he gets from the fans when he comes on show how much that they appreciate him.

“We’re only two or three months into the season and there’s six or seven months left, and Jack will play a massive part.”

Billy Turley has recovered from his thigh strain enough to be on the bench, which is timely with teams needing seven substitutes for the FA Cup.