JONTE Smith has vowed to pull out all the stops to prove he can make an impact at Oxford United.

The striker has leapt four levels after swapping Bostik League Premier Division side Lewes for the U’s.

But while it is six years since his last game in Sky Bet League One, with Crawley Town, he had never given up on breaking back into the professional game.

And after being handed a chance with United until the end of the season, the 24-year-old intends to take it.

He said: “Obviously I haven’t been in full-time football for quite a while, so I’m looking to take advantage of the facilities, the great coaches and just everything I can to become better.

“I know there are players here who have been in the pro game for years and years.

“I need to get up to speed with them and get used to the tempo.

“That may take a bit of adjustment, but I’m going to be working hard, staying late, doing everything I can to get to that level as soon as possible.”

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If the last few years have been a rollercoaster, taking him on a tour of southern England’s non-league scene via stops in Finland and Norway, so have the last few days.

Having caught United’s eye with a hat-trick against their under 23s during a trial with Swindon Town over the festive period, he then netted twice for Chris Allen’s side last week.

The U’s had seen enough to merit a short-term deal, but the transfer deadline passed without agreement.

Fortunately, Lewes agreed to release the Bermuda international, who was then a free agent and able to put pen-to-paper on a deal.

“It’s been an eventful, crazy, maybe even a bit emotional few days,” he said.

United do need as much help up front as possible in their relegation battle, as Smith saw for himself watching from the sidelines in Saturday’s goalless draw at Burton Albion.

The club are cautious about expecting too much too soon, but there is the potential to extend the contract.

Smith said: “Obviously I have to earn the right to get that option, which is what I’m trying to do.

“I have from now until the end of the season to work as hard as I can to prove I belong at this club.

“I’ve worked hard over the years to try to get back to this level.

“Now that I’m here I need to make sure everyone else believes in me.”