GINO van Kessel has the ability to have a big influence on Oxford United’s second half of the season if he can stay consistent, says boss Pep Clotet.

The Slavia Prague loanee has started the last three games after spending more than two months on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.

He was excellent in Monday’s important clash with Milton Keynes Dons, scoring his fifth goal of the campaign and providing an assist in the 3-1 victory.

Clotet was also buoyed by the 24-year-old’s work rate in a wide role and knows he has what it takes to be a key figure.

He said: “We always saw good moments from Gino, but now he’s producing stable performances.

“When Gino has the mentality he showed at Bradford and against Milton Keynes there’s a different class.”

He added: “When he has the intensity he showed and with his talent and speed I think he can be very influential going forward.

“He’s very good for us to have – he gives pace to the squad which is always very beneficial.”

United had been crying out for some speed out wide since Rob Hall was injured in November.

While Van Kessel’s preferred role is up front, the former Ajax youngster has been happy to pitch in on the flank.

He said: “Especially when we play 4-4-2, I prefer to play as a striker because my quality is up top.

“When you are on the side in a 4-4-2 you always have to defend a lot, so I had to do my job.”

Van Kessel scored a wonder goal on his debut against Portsmouth in August and notched again in the following home game with Shrewsbury Town.

While admitting to struggling after that as he got used to English football, the forward – who went the whole of 2017 without winning a game in which he started – is optimistic about the second half of the season.

He said: “In this league you have to fight more.

“When I arrived after three minutes I scored the goal of the month, so it was a good feeling.

“To be honest after three or four matches it didn’t go very well and then I was out for eight or nine weeks.

“I feel good now and the last week went very well.”

“There are 21 more matches to go and at the end of the season we’ll see. Hopefully we get into the top six.”