GAVIN Whyte says he is loving every minute at the moment after making a flying start to life at Oxford United.

The winger is the U’s top-scorer with three goals in as many starts – a terrific return following his summer move from Crusaders.

It has earned him a call-up to the Northern Ireland Under 21 squad, but first his focus is on the visit to Sunderland in Sky Bet League One tomorrow.

While admitting he was suffering physically after playing 90 minutes three times in the space of eight days, the 22-year-old is buzzing from the super start.

He said: “I’m really confident at the minute, I want to go on the pitch and score goals in every game.

“I’m just hoping to stay in the team.

“At the start of the season I wasn’t really playing, so it’s good now to be in the team and scoring goals with confidence. I just need to keep that going.

“The fans have been brilliant with me, it’s a really good club to be at and I’m loving my football here.

“All the boys have been talking about Sunderland, these are games I came to England to play in.”

And while Whyte always backed himself to make a success of the move across the Irish Sea, even he admits to being surprised at the speed he has felt at home.

“Probably, I was part-time in Belfast and only training two nights a week, so to come here and train every day is tough,” he said.

“My body has been feeling sore, but I think I’ve taken on the role quite well.”

The form has not gone unnoticed at home, with Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill making it clear he was keeping an eye on Whyte’s progress.

While for the moment he remains with the under 21 set-up, missing the two U’s games after tomorrow, a senior debut looks like being only a matter of time.

U’s boss Karl Robinson said: “I would foresee if Gavin continues his form he’ll certainly be involved in his (O’Neill’s) plans at some stage.

“He’s in a good place and we’ve just got to make sure we keep moving forward.”