ANDY Whing is keen to make up for lost time and make a telling contribution to Oxford United’s season after spending months on the sidelines.

The midfielder is likely to start against Fleetwood Town tomorrow as he gets closer to full fitness.

Whing has added some much-needed steel into the U’s since returning from a serious groin injury.

The 29-year-old admitted there were times during the four-month absence, which included three operations, when he wondered if he would return.

But after starting two of the last three games without any problems, Whing is determined to do everything he can to assist the U’s in the run-in.

He said: “Just to be out there is brilliant.

“I’ve missed so much this season I’m relishing every game I get on the pitch.

“I couldn’t help my teammates when I was out, so I’m desperate to help them now.”

United need an in-form Whing to help revive their flagging promotion hopes.

An upturn is needed over the final six games to book a place in the play-offs and falling short is not an option in the former Coventry City trainee’s eyes.

He said: “Especially as an older professional you can’t miss opportunities to go up a division or win something.

“You can’t pass that up because you never know, you might not get another chance.”

Whing played peacemaker on Saturday to defuse a confrontation between players and a handful of fans following the 1-0 defeat at Dagenham.

As a passionate Aston Villa fan, Whing has a foot in both camps and knows ultimately, it showed how much everyone wants success.

“Everyone was frustrated and arguments happen,” he said.

“They happen in the changing room, they happen among the fans.

“I sit next to my uncle and some of the things he comes out with at Villa I honestly can’t understand him, it’s like ‘what game are you watching?’ “That’s what makes football brilliant, because there’s so many opinions.

“The only thing we can do is put that right on Saturday and win a game for them.”