LIAM Kelly is not complaining about Oxford United’s busy schedule – he is just loving playing regular football.

The midfielder made just ten appearances between November 2018 and the start of this season, but has already racked up 23 games since September.

He is set to feature for the U’s at Rochdale in Sky Bet League One tonight, as Karl Robinson’s side begin what could be nine successive Tuesdays in action.

A host of postponements and United’s Papa John’s Trophy progress has created the packed fixture list, but Kelly actively wants the games to come thick and fast.

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He re-joined United on loan from Feyenoord last summer after making just two appearances for the Dutch giants in the first half of 2019/20 and insists playing twice a week is not an issue.

He said: “There are a lot of games, but any footballer will tell you it’s the best thing.

“We don’t have to train as much playing Saturday-Tuesday and we can just get a rhythm and hopefully shoot up the table.

“I had a difficult time last year in terms of not playing, so my main goal this year was to get in the team and play as much as I can.

“I’ve done that, so now it’s about getting back to the old me and hopefully I’m nearing that.

“The team seems to have clicked and it’s probably the most games I’ve played for a while.

“I’m just really enjoying my football.”

Kelly fell out of favour at Reading in the second half of 2018/19, playing just three times after the end of November, before leaving for Feyenoord.

A lack of game time at the Dutch club saw him join United for the first time 12 months ago, but injury restricted him to just five appearances.

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It is a different story this season, with the midfielder Robinson’s first-choice pick in central midfield alongside Marcus McGuane.

The Nottingham Forest loanee will miss tonight’s game after injuring his thigh against Bristol Rovers on Saturday and was due to have a scan yesterday afternoon.

Cameron Brannagan replaced McGuane at the weekend and Kelly hailed United’s strength in depth.

He said: “If you look at any top team in the world they have that foundation to build on.

“Whoever comes in, the quality of the team won’t change.”

Robinson believes Kelly’s own influence is underrated.

“I think he goes so unnoticed,” the U’s boss said.

“Some of the stuff he does underneath the ball and the amount of regains he gets is quite remarkable.”