ALEX MacDonald knows the quality he showed in the final third last weekend needs to become more consistent if he is going to feature regularly for Oxford United.

The winger came off the bench to supply an inch-perfect cross for Wes Thomas to open the scoring in the 2-0 win at Bolton Wanderers last weekend.

It earned MacDonald a first start since August in the midweek Checkatrade Trophy tie at Swindon Town, which was brought to a halt by the maiden red card of his career.

The suspension will be served in the cup competition, so MacDonald is available for Sunday’s Sky Bet League One game at home to AFC Wimbledon.

He will be hoping the dismissal, which head coach Michael Appleton described as an “honest challenge”, does not count against him when the team is selected.

After being left out of the starting XI for seven successive games, MacDonald is well aware of what is required.

He said: “I think I’m experienced enough now to know what I need to do to get back in the team.

“You know if you step out of line or have a bad game there will be someone there to take your shirt off you.

“It’s only good for the team and myself to keep everyone on their toes and performing.”

Appleton was impressed with the role MacDonald played in the win at the Macron Stadium, which took the U’s up to tenth in the table.

“The one thing Macca gives you is energy,” he said.

“Sometimes he might lack a bit of quality at the right time and a bit of composure.

“That’s not being disrespectful. I have this conversation with Macca all the time.

“But I do think he made a real impact on the game.”

MacDonald’s desire to put the spell on the bench behind him in part comes from a sense of deja vu.

Last season he also spent seven games out of the starting line-up, before coming back strongly for the rest of the campaign.

He said: “It was pretty similar last year and then I had a spell out of the team and it wasn’t happening for me.

“I don’t want this to be a trend.”