MIKE Williamson is enjoying his football again after regaining match fitness for Oxford United.

The former Newcastle United centre back started the season in superb form, before losing form and fitness during the autumn.

But Curtis Nelson’s Achilles injury opened the door for Williamson to come back into the side.

And after getting three successive Sky Bet League One games under his belt, the 34-year-old is feeling confident again.

He said: “It’s nice to play getting another run and getting a few clean sheets.

“I feel like I’ve been injured for quite a while and then an accumulation of games took its toll.

“But I feel comfortable now finding my legs and my lungs again, so I’m enjoying it.”

He forms an experienced centre half partnership with John Mousinho which will be tested tomorrow against leaders Wigan Athletic.

U’s boss Pep Clotet has been delighted to see Williamson return strongly – and he does not think successive clean sheets are a coincidence.

He said: “Mike Williamson has a huge impact because he has the ability to get the team very solid.

“He’s a player who likes the game being very organised.

“I agree with him completely on that and he gives us this extra edge defensively.

“It’s very important to understand that a young team like us always needs a bit of experience around.

“In games (like the 0-0 at Rochdale last weekend) the margins between getting one point or none relies on people with experience to make sure the other players understand not to get too open and not risk the point.

“This is where he is superb.”