Roberts commits to Oxford

Oxford United striker James Roberts has signed a new contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2018.

The 18-year-old made his debut off the bench in the defeat at Cambridge in October and has since made four further substitute appearances. "James has scored plenty of goals but he also works incredibly hard at his game and is improving all the time," head coach Michael Appleton told the club's official website. "He knows there are still things he can work on but he has earned his place in the first-team squad and we're very pleased that he has committed his future to the club long-term." Roberts added: "Being offered a pro contract was a great feeling and now to get a longer deal gives me a fantastic chance to show what I can do. "The staff and coaches here have helped me a lot and now all I want to do is reward the faith they have shown in me by pushing for a first-team place and hopefully scoring a few goals."