DAN Crowley believes a frustrating spell spent out of Oxford United’s starting line-up has made him a better player.

The Arsenal loanee has needed to be patient for his chances, with the only starts this season coming in the Checkatrade Trophy.

He has played just 82 minutes of football in Sky Bet League One, but came off the bench to score for United in their 2-1 defeat at Coventry City on Tuesday night.

It has not been the start to the campaign the versatile attacker had envisaged when he signed a season-long loan from the Gunners in the summer.

But the 19-year-old reckons the time spent watching has helped his all-round game.

He said: “I want to play, so it’s horrible, but that’s football and you just have to get on with it.

“I’ve realised that it’s not just about ability.

“You’ve got to work hard, be better at defending and have more of an understanding of the game.”

He added: “It has (been frustrating), but I have learned a lot about myself.

“I feel like I’m learning and becoming a better first team player, whereas before I was more of a kid. I’d like to think I’m growing up.”

United’s sloppy first half display at struggling Coventry could open the door for changes to be made to the line-up for the trip to Port Vale on Saturday.

Head coach Michael Appleton praised the role his substitutes had made at the Ricoh Arena.

He said: “I said to the subs after the game ‘well done, you’ve made an impact’.

“It’s what I ask them to do and I expect them to do that.

“Ultimately they can only play the occasion and the chance they get.”

United’s games against Merstham and Chelsea in the Emirates FA Cup and Checkatrade Trophy next month in theory offer Crowley the chance to play more regularly.

But before then the teenager has his fingers crossed the display off the bench has put him in Appleton’s plans for Vale Park.

Crowley said: “Hopefully I can be more involved on Saturday as well.

“We’ll just have to see. I just have to keep working hard and knocking on the gaffer’s door.”