DES Buckingham was delighted to finally see Greg Leigh in action for the first time since becoming Oxford United head coach.

Buckingham took over at United on November 16, with Leigh unavailable to him owing to a calf injury collected while on international duty with Jamaica.

However, the 29-year-old has now recovered after a two-month absence, and was included in a matchday squad by Buckingham for the first time as the U’s made the long trip north to Carlisle United.

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Leigh was the only substitution that Buckingham made during the 3-1 victory, replacing Joe Bennett with just over 20 minutes to play.

Buckingham said: “That’s the first time I’ve been able to see Greg on the football field since I started in this role, so it’s good to get some minutes into him.

“It wasn’t the type of game where I wanted to throw Tyler Burey in, just because Tyler Goodrham was doing so well, and we didn’t want to make that change for the sake of it.

“We’ll get minutes into him this week in training, and hopefully position him better to get minutes next week if there’s a chance for that.

“Greg’s back, and I look forward to next weekend, because we also welcome Sam Long and Stephan Negru back as well.

“We should get stronger throughout January, whether that’s players returning or some bodies returning.”

United debutant Jamie Cumming impressed in goal, after arriving on loan from Chelsea, and made two big saves after the home side pulled a goal back to make it 3-1, and looked to rally late on.

Cumming flung himself at a Joe Garner strike, tipping the ball away, before holding an Owen Moxon shot at his near post.

Buckingham said of his new goalkeeper: “At the end, he showed his experience and quality. He hasn’t played many games, but for him to come in and show what he’s been able to do puts us in a good space to go on and win the game.”