ROB Dickie says he is starting to feel more at home as the left-sided defender in Oxford United’s centre-half pairing.

The 23-year-old’s solid performances alongside Curtis Nelson have helped the U’s keep three clean sheets in their last five games.

It has provided the platform for a ten-point haul during that period, boosting their hopes of avoiding relegation in Sky Bet League One.

Dickie, who has played 43 times this season, admits he has taken some time to adjust after spending the majority of his young career on the right.

But the former Reading trainee, who joined the club in January last year, believes he is starting to show his full potential at the heart of the U’s defence.

“To be honest, it did take me a while to adapt to it (playing on the left) and I feel much more comfortable there now,” said Dickie.

“I feel as though I can’t do everything that I can on the right.

“But I will play anywhere for the team and as long as I’m in the side I’m more than happy.

“It’s for my benefit as well.

“I’d like to think the manager feels comfortable playing me on either the left or the right.”

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United have come up against Gillingham’s Tom Eaves and Rochdale’s Ian Henderson, who have scored 18 and 16 goals respectively this campaign, during that run.

And Dickie was pleased with how he dealt with both players.

He said: “I quite like the challenge of not just playing against really good strikers, but different types of players.

“It’s something I thrive off and I feel like I’m doing OK.”