Huddersfield Town

Having played just 218 minutes of football under Chris Powell this season, the 24 year-old was given a starting opportunity against Ipswich Town four games ago and hasn’t looked back, drawing plaudits for his recent string of performances.

Having missed the majority of pre-season with a toe injury, Oscar is now looking to make up for lost time, as he explained to htafc.com.

“Over the last few years I have been hampered by injury. When you have an injury, it takes you a while to get back to full form and I think being on the sidelines is the toughest part of football. 

“You have to try and stay level-headed when you’re injured, but it is tough to see the other lads go out to train when you can’t. You have to be mentally strong and make sure that you take your chance when it comes.

“When I returned to fitness and went out on loan to Chesterfield, I’m sure a lot of people thought my time here might be over. It did enter my head too. The midfielders here were doing really well and I couldn’t force my way back into the team. I went there and Chesterfield’s manager was great with me.

“However, you can never say never in football and it’s been really good recently. The Manager has given me a chance in the last four games, telling me to go out and show everyone what I can do. 

“I don’t think the fans here have seen the best of me yet. It’s been good to give them a glimpse now; hopefully it carries on until the end of the season. 

“Being left footed, I’m a little bit different to the other midfielders we have and that gives us a good balance. I naturally help out the full back on that side of the pitch and the Manager has emphasised the importance of that. (Jacob) Butterfield is quite attacking and Conor likes to pick the ball up deep, whereas I like to do a bit of both. I’m happy to play my part.”

His contribution to the team recently included a first goal in over three years in last weekend’s 4-4 home draw with Derby County.

“The lads were quick to remind me how long it had been since I last scored!” Oscar joked. “It had been on the back of my mind too, as that’s too long a time. The Manager has given me the license to get in the box and to get a goal on Saturday was good. Hopefully a few more will now follow.”

The Terriers have shown a capacity to go toe to toe with the Sky Bet Championship’s best this season and Oscar hopes that will continue when ninth placed Blackburn Rovers visit this weekend. 

“We had the better chances in the game. It shows how far we’ve come that we can say that and get results against teams like Derby, Ipswich and Forest. 

“The strikers have found their form and our midfielders can also chip in with a goal here and there. 

“Hopefully we will take that form into Saturday’s game against Blackburn, where we want the three points. They’ve been doing pretty well recently, so it should be a good game. 

“It would be a good send-off for the fans to get the win; we want to send everyone home happy. I know it’s only £5 for tickets and it’ll be great to have a big crowd. The last game of the season is always special and that will only help.” 

This weekend’s clash will pitch Oscar against his former Town teammate Jordan Rhodes; someone he has a lot of time for.

“He’s a top lad and deserves everything that has come his way so far in his career. We all know he is a goal-scorer and we need to nullify his threat on Saturday. If we can keep him quiet, it will help us keep Blackburn quiet.” 

Oscar’s current Town contract is up at the end of the season, but for now the midfielder has only one focus – performing in the final two games.

“This Club has been great to me over the last four years; I’ve had a great time. I can’t see a reason why I wouldn’t want to stay. 

“We’ve not had that talk yet though. Having seen what I can do on the pitch, he’s told me to do my best. That’s all I’m concentrating on doing over the next two games in order to help the Club finish as high as it has for quite a long time.”