AFTER 62 games this season, Oxford United’s players will be looking forward to their summer break, but the start of pre-season cannot come quickly enough for Canice Carroll.

The 18-year-old has been one of the beneficiaries of head coach Michael Appleton using the run-in to experiment with his line-up to look ahead.

Carroll, who made his debut as a substitute in December, has started three games this month and is eyeing a fourth in the season finale at home to Shrewsbury Town on Sunday.

It has comfortably surpassed the youngster’s aims for the campaign – and whetted his appetite for next season.

He said: “I hope I’m in contention for Sunday – that would be a game I’d love to start.

“I wanted to make my debut this season, that was the only thing in my mind.

“Considering what I’ve done, it’s been a great season for me.

“But I can’t dwell on it, I’m just focused for Sunday and as soon as that’s finished I’ll be raring for pre-season.”

The most recent appearance was the clearest indication yet that United’s high hopes for the Republic of Ireland Under 19 international are fully justified.

Being thrown in out of position in right midfield at Millwall was a big test, but Carroll passed with flying colours in the 3-0 win.

“It was a great experience,” he said.

“I was looking at the fixture list it towards the end of the season and thinking I would love to play at Millwall.

“I’m that sort of player who thrives on people let’s just say not being nice to me.

“It gets me going and it feels like I’m doing well if people are trying to batter me.

“I loved every minute of it.”

It featured a flash of improvisation which helped Carroll win his individual battle with Lions club captain, Tony Craig.

More than 450 career starts did not help the veteran when United’s rookie flicked the ball over his head, prompting the full back to haul him down.

It earned a booking and he was substituted at half-time.

Carroll said: “It was funny, because I didn’t plan it at all.

“I felt he was quite tight to me and I thought ‘I may as well just try this’.

“It came off and he ended up bringing me down.

“I thought I got into his head and felt he should have got sent off for the second foul when he went through the back of me.

“It was a great compliment him getting taken off.”