MARK Sykes is hoping to kick on from his strong start in midweek by delivering a creative spark when Oxford United visit Blackpool today.

The January signing was the biggest positive on an otherwise poor night for Karl Robinson’s men as they went down 4-2 at Accrington Stanley to stay in the Sky Bet League One relegation zone.

Sykes, who came from Northern Irish club Glenavon, has had to be patient while he got up to speed with the demands of Sky Bet League One.

But after impressing on his full debut, the 21-year-old is eager for more as United search for a first away league win of the season.

He said: “I came here from part-time football and it was always going to take me a couple of weeks to adapt to the full-time side of things.

“I’ve enjoyed being in every day training.

“Accrington was my first game in the league and I’m glad I don’t have to start running after games (with the substitutes) anymore.

“I enjoyed being out on the pitch and hopefully I’ve done enough to be in the team at the weekend again.

“I played with no fear and I tried to show people what I can do.”

He added: “Back home I scored quite a lot of goals coming from midfield and arriving late in the box.

“I think it’s well proven we need more goals in the team and hopefully I can show the fans, the coaches and my teammates that I can do that.”

United’s resources are depleted as Cameron Brannagan begins a two-game suspension, while Gavin Whyte remains sidelined with a head injury.

There are also doubts over Jamie Mackie and Marcus Browne, who picked up hamstring problems at Accrington, plus Ahmed Kashi (illness).

Blackpool have influential skipper Jay Spearing back in midfield after a knee problem, while striker Chris Long is fit to start after coming off with cramp in their goalless draw at Charlton Athletic last weekend.

TODAY’S LINE-UPS

Blackpool: from Howard, Daniels, Heneghan, Tilt, Anderton, Turton, Evans, Pritchard, Kirby, Gnanduillet, Long, Delfouneso, Spearing, Thompson, Feeney, Taylor, Dodoo, Nottingham, Mafoumbi.

Oxford Utd: from Eastwood, Hanson, Nelson, Dickie, Ruffels, Mousinho, Henry, Sykes, Graham, Sinclair, Garbutt, Smith, Mackie, Browne, James, Carruthers, Long, Stevens.