SIMON Eastwood believes he is in the best form of his career – but the Oxford United goalkeeper does not want any extra attention.

While the 27-year-old did not play a minute in his first spell with the club in 2010-11, he has quickly won any doubters round this season.

Eastwood has made a habit of pulling off crucial saves, most recently in stoppage time to preserve a goalless draw at MK Dons last Saturday.

It stretched the United No 1’s record without conceding a goal to almost five hours of competitive football.

Eastwood prefers to shun the limelight, but cannot recall playing better over an extended period than he has since the start of the season.

“Probably not,” he said.

“When I was at Blackburn I was in and out.

“In the games I played there I did quite well, but as a goalkeeper it’s purely just about being consistent – it’s massive.

“You don’t want to be up and down – you just want to stay in that middle and almost go unnoticed.

“If you have a good game or a bad game you just have to stay level. That’s the way forward.

“I’ve been happy with how I’ve been playing. It’s just good that in the last three games we’ve had positive results.”

The chance to play regularly was a big reason why a move to United appealed to Eastwood this summer.

His 11 appearances so far this season match his total playing time in the last two years at Blackburn Rovers.

And head coach Michael Appleton, who signed the keeper during his time in charge at Portsmouth, knew a spell of matches was all Eastwood required to find his form.

He said: “I knew of his abilities when I was at Pompey and Blackburn.

“He just needed a run of games and to be first-choice.

“He’s given himself the opportunity by firstly being professional in pre-season and then in the games when he’s been called upon, he’s done the business.”