STEVE Seddon admits it was tough to be patient as he saw his Oxford United transfer pushed back by Covid.

The U’s paid Birmingham City an undisclosed fee to sign the left back, who has agreed a three-year deal.

Seddon’s move has been virtually ready to go for three weeks, only to be paused when the 23-year-old caught the virus.

Read also: Steve Seddon on why he chose Oxford United

The former Portsmouth and AFC Wimbledon loanee was bedbound for two days as he began his recovery and saw his medical at United delayed.

Now able to look back on the ordeal, Seddon reflected on a difficult time.

He said: “There’s a lot of stress, because you’re in bed and you’re worrying about doing this and that to keep fit.

“That’s one of the main things, you’ve got to take a minute and be careful of your health.

“Covid’s affected so many people in the country, it has obviously caused a lot of people to pass away.

“Your health comes first, even though you’re a young, fit person and want to get back to playing football as soon as possible.

“You’ve got to be careful, because obviously Covid’s a dangerous thing.”

The U’s have been hit particularly hard by Covid this month, with 12 first-team players self-isolating until next week after three positive cases were recorded within the squad.

Fact file: All the key info on Oxford United's new left back

They had to cancel tomorrow’s scheduled friendly against Seddon’s former club, who themselves have felt the force of the virus.

Birmingham goalkeeper Neil Etheridge was admitted to hospital last week to receive Covid treatment and is now back home.

Seddon said: “I was always very cautious of Covid.

“It’s tough, as a lot of young people have a feeling of invincibility and the news says young people don’t need to worry.

“There’s not as many deaths among young people, but it still definitely affects them.

“A teammate at Birmingham City, Neil Etheridge, was in hospital for it, so it’s definitely very serious for young people, no matter what anyone says.”

Many people who recover from the virus still feel the effects of ‘long Covid’, which can last for months after the infection has gone.

Seddon insists he is ‘ready to go’ as he seeks to bring his attacking style to United’s left side.

The former Reading trainee knows all about the U’s, having racked up almost 50 Sky Bet League One games at Pompey and Wimbledon.

He said: “I’ve played Oxford numerous times and to be really honest, they were one of the teams I most disliked playing.

“They have a lot of the ball, there’s a lot of movement and energy and it’s very tiring mentally as much as physically.

“I definitely think I suit that – I can get up and down the pitch like the gaffer wants.”