KANE Hemmings hopes the display as a substitute for Oxford United pushed his claims to face Southend United tomorrow night.

Ryan Taylor was preferred to the striker against Charlton Athletic, but the summer signing from Dundee came off the bench after an hour.

Within seven minutes Hemmings had tested Addicks goalkeeper Declan Rudd and set up Chris Maguire to equalise in the 1-1 draw.

Now having recovered from a calf problem, the 24-year-old is pushing for more game time when the side visit Roots Hall.

He said: “I’m glad I could come on and make a positive impact.

“I want to play, that’s why I came here, but we have quality players who want to play as well.

“They deserve it as much as anyone else.

“Hopefully the impact I made can put a thought in the gaffer’s mind and hopefully going into Tuesday I’m involved again.”

Hemmings had a decision to make when he received Marvin Johnson’s through ball midway through the second half.

He admitted considering taking a shot himself, but with the attacking unit having practised identical scenarios in training he knew Maguire was well-placed to score.

He said: “There was a time where I thought I could get a shot away, but Mags was in a good position.

“I just slid him in and he got a clean shot on goal.

“It was the right decision.”