CALLUM O’Dowda is desperate to be given a chance to help a depleted Oxford United stop their losing run this evening.

Defeats to Northampton Town and Accrington Stanley have seen the U’s top-three place in Sky Bet League Two come under pressure.

Their task at Exeter City is not helped by a pile-up of injuries, but as one of the squad’s fit players, O’Dowda is raring to end a run out of the XI.

The winger said: "It makes it more frustrating (to be on the bench) when we’re losing.

“When we’re winning it’s OK because the team is doing well, but it does make it harder when the team is losing.

“I’m just waiting on my chance to get a starting place and when I do I’m desperate to take it.”

He added: "It’s going to be an important game against Exeter.

"In the back of everyone’s heads we’ve lost two games but it’s how we bounce back from it.

"In a way it could wake up a few players.

"I see it as an opportunity, especially because I haven’t been playing as much as I want to.

"If I do get a chance to play I’ll try to take it."

O’Dowda is one start away from 50 for United and would love to reach it at a ground where he scored his maiden goal, in a 1-1 draw last season.

He said: "That was a massive moment, I remember it very clearly when Joe Riley put it on a plate for me.

"That’s what it’s all about.

"Those moments are the best feeling and if I can recreate that and help kick-start us into the last 15 games that would be great.”