LIAM Sercombe says adapting to different positions and tactical ideas is all part of Oxford United adjusting to their place in Sky Bet League One.

The 26-year-old’s central midfield role hardly changed across the whole of last season.

But in this campaign he has also been deployed further forward playing off a striker, while last weekend he was used in right midfield against Port Vale.

Sercombe is not the only one who has featured in a variety of positions, with most of United’s attack-minded players popping up in more than one area.

Although the former Exeter City player is happiest in the middle of the park, he thinks United needed to increase their flexibility after stepping up a division.

“Last year we were 4-4-2 and it worked,” Sercombe said.

“When you move up a level you need to have different options.

“This year I have played in a few different positions.

“As long as I’m playing I’m happy to do a job for the team.

“I played right wing in the last game and thought I did pretty well.”

The more fluid approach also extends to selection, where head coach Michael Appleton has picked players for specific attributes depending on the opposition.

Last weekend Curtis Nelson was recalled against Vale due to his ability to deal with physical sides, replacing Charlie Raglan.

Appleton admitted the centre back, who had been in good form, was unfortunate to lose his place.

Sercombe has experienced it himself, becoming a substitute for the first time since joining the U’s in May 2015.

He said: “Players might not just come out because of a loss in form, it might be because it’s a different type of game.

“We have to take that on the chin and get on with it.”

“Last year I played a lot of games.

“But if the gaffer feels he has to take me out because it’s not my type of game then he has the players to do that.

“I back my ability to play every game, that’s just me, but it’s good to have a lot of competition.

“It’s healthy for the team.”

Sercombe will be hoping he has done enough to keep his place in the starting XI as United eye a move back into the top half of the table with a win against Millwall tomorrow.

He said: “They’re not a bad side and we know it will be a tough game.

“It’s still very close.

“We need to put a run together because we haven’t done that this year.

“If we do that we’ll be in the play-offs and hopefully when we get there we’ll stay there.”

ROB Hall’s return to action has given everyone at Oxford United a lift, according to Liam Sercombe.

The winger signed in July, midway through his recovery from damaging cruciate knee ligaments.

Hall got his first action this week, setting up two goals for United’s development side, which thrilled his teammates.

Sercombe said: “When you have a top player like him coming back after seeing him work his socks off every day in the gym it’s good to see.

“Everyone’s delighted, when you have a player of his calibre coming back it’s a massive boost.”

Skipper John Lundstram joked: “In the first couple of sessions we weren’t allowed to tackle him, so I think that made him look better than he was. He’s a quality player and I’m sure once he is back fit he will be running the sessions.”