Goodrham 'will come again' for Oxford - Rowett

Tyler Goodrham last started a league game for Oxford in August

Oxford United boss Gary Rowett says that attacking midfielder Tyler Goodrham has been "a little unfortunate" to not play more this season.

The U's academy graduate has only made five appearances across all competitions for the first team, scoring one goal.

After a period of inactivity, Goodrham even played a game for Oxford's Under-21 side and ended up being shown a red card in that game.

In the last two seasons he made a 95 appearances across all competitions but has missed out entirely on Oxford's last two Championship matchday squads and last started a league game at the end of August.

"Tyler was ill when we were in Indonesia (in pre-season) and it took him a while to recover from that," Rowett told BBC Radio Oxford.

"When he did get back in I think it's always hard to hit form early and he's like a lot of our attacking players where you're sort of waiting for one to really light the game up.

"He did in the cup game here with a goal he scored and since then he's been on the bench, he asked me to play recently in the U21s game which I think shows great commitment.

"Probably typical of how his season's gone so far he asked to play and then got sent off which was a very harsh sending off.

"But Tyler has worked incredibly hard and is a talented young player but I'd expect him to come again and he's been a little unfortunate he hasn't got on the pitch a bit more."

Last season Oxford were able to secure their Championship status late in the campaign, finishing four points clear of the relegation zone.

They are currently three points above the drop zone in 19th and have won three times with six defeats and three draws.

Rowett said he feels one of the main challenges this term has been managing the size of his playing group.

"Our squad size is probably just a tiny bit too big," he added.

"But we mentioned that there was perhaps two or three players we felt might move on in January

"When you have big numbers you have to impact the game straight away or at least impact some moments of the game straight away to keep you in the team.

"If we were winning all the time then it would help but now we're looking for players that will step up with the team."