KEMAR Roofe is desperate to make an impact at Oxford United after admitting his career is on the line.

The 22-year-old, who can play in a variety of attacking roles, agreed an initial one-month loan from West Bromwich Albion yesterday, and is set to be included in the squad for today’s trip to Burton Albion.

Roofe is out of contract at The Hawthorns this summer, so is fired-up to play as much football as possible.

“It’s very important,” he said.

“I need to play senior football now to cement my future.

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“I don’t have a clue what I’m doing next year, so this is a key part of my career.

“I’m done at the end of the season, so I’m playing for a future somewhere.”

His first aim is to impress enough to get the short-term deal at United extended for the remainder of the campaign.

And a trip to Burton, who are only kept off the top of the Sky Bet League Two table by goal difference, is just the stage Roofe is after.

He said: “As soon as I found out it was Burton I was excited – because they’re at the top of the league it’s more of a test.”

Roofe was an unused substitute in August when the Baggies were pushed all the way to a penalty shoot-out before squeezing past United in the Capital One Cup.

He got on the pitch against them in a development game last month, which the U’s won 2-1.

The performance put him on the radar, but his links with head coach Michael Appleton go back much further.

He said: “I was probably at under 15s when he was in charge of the youth team and he gradually moved up coaching the age groups as I got older.

“He’s had a good impact on my career because when I was younger he showed me how to play.

“He gave us all a good base in the youth team and we built from there.”

Appleton said: “He’s always looking to threaten the back line and he’s quick and very direct.

“Whether he starts or comes off the bench, he’s going to make an impact.”