KEVIN Berkoe is hungry for more first-team action after becoming Oxford United’s newest debutant.

The 18-year-old was a second-half substitute in Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Peterborough United in the Carabao Cup.

Senior action came quicker than he expected, having signed from Wolverhampton Wanderers’ youth set-up in the summer with a view to featuring for the U’s under 23s.

He said: “I’m truly honoured to be given the opportunity to step on the pitch.

“Last season I was playing under 18s football and then I’m straight into first-team football here. It’s quite a big jump, so I’m blessed.

“The difference is you have to be switched on because if you lose concentration for one second then you can get punished.”

The biggest positive for Berkoe was coming on with the first round tie on a knife-edge.

He said: “I came on when the game was at 0-0, so I’m glad the manager trusted me.

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“Fortunately we scored so just to see out the last few minutes was quite intense.”

It was a bittersweet night, though, with Malachi Napa carried off after suffering a broken leg.

The 20-year-old grew up not far from Berkoe in east London and had been one of the players who had made him feel welcome when he signed.

But Napa’s absence could see Berkoe travel north with the squad today ahead of the clash with Blackpool.

He said: “It was hard to see him leave the pitch like that.

“But you just have to be ready because one injury can give you a step up.”