RYAN Taylor is raring to show Oxford United what he can do this season after putting an injury-hit first year with the club behind him.

The striker picked up a groin problem in pre-season 12 months ago, playing through the pain until it ruptured in January.

While teammates thrived around the 28-year-old during his 27 appearances, a return of four goals was a disappointment to the former Rotherham United and Portsmouth frontman.

But following a long and careful rehabilitation over the past six months, Taylor has returned feeling strong and ready to make more of a contribution as United head into Sky Bet League One.

He said: “I’m looking forward to playing a bigger part this year.

“I think I did bits and bobs last year, but the gaffer didn’t see a great deal of me.

“It’s a massive season – I’m in the last year of my contract, but it’s not really about that for me.

“I’m just looking at impressing the manager, my teammates and the fans.

“That’s all I’m really bothered about and setting a high standard for myself, which I know I can get to.

“Come the start of the season, I’m going to be ready to do what I need to do.”

A fit and firing Taylor would come in very useful for head coach Michael Appleton, who is still searching for attacking reinforcements following the exits of Kemar Roofe and Callum O’Dowda.

The tall forward gave cause for optimism in his performance against Leicester City last Tuesday.

Wes Morgan and Robert Huth both struggled against the U’s No 20 in the air.

And coming up against Premier League-winning centre backs proved an educational experience which Taylor will take into the season.

He said: “They do crafty things that maybe a League One or League Two centre half wouldn’t.

“They are very sharp to nip in front of you and nudge you just as the ball is coming into you.

“It works for them, that’s why they’re playing at the highest level and it’s nice to test yourself against people like that.”

United host another higher-ranked side tomorrow night, when Brighton & Hove Albion, of the Championship, visit the Kassam Stadium.

It is the penultimate chance for Appleton’s men to sharpen up, with only the trip to Barnet on Saturday left ahead of the League 1 opener at home to Chesterfield on August 6.