DAVID Fox has made it known to Aidy Boothroyd that he has got a frustrated player on his hands.The 25-year-old midfielder was replaced in the U's team by loan signing John-Joe O'Toole soon after Boothroyd took over and, when Kemi Izzet fell ill recently, his manager decided to bring in teenager Josh Payne from West Ham rather than call upon Fox.

Stuart Watson

DAVID Fox has made it known to Aidy Boothroyd that he has got a frustrated player on his hands.

The 25-year-old midfielder was replaced in the U's team by loan signing John-Joe O'Toole soon after Boothroyd took over and, when Kemi Izzet fell ill recently, his manager decided to bring in teenager Josh Payne from West Ham rather than call upon Fox.

However, with Izzet still out and Payne unavailable for the FA Cup, Fox got only his third start under Boothroyd against non-league side Bromley on Saturday.

He responded in style with two fine assists from a defensive midfield role and now hopes he has forced himself back into the first team picture.

The former Manchester United trainee said: “It's been frustrating, really frustrating.

“The manager pulled me aside (following the signing of Payne) and explained the situation to me, which he didn't have to.

“Aidy is very thoughtful about how his players are feeling. He asks me how I feel and he knows he has got a frustrated player on his hands. He's played the game so he knows what it's like.

“It would have been easy for me to let my head drop, but I just tried to stay professional and be patient.

“I was delighted with the two assists. I had to play a different role in the team because John-Joe (O'Toole) likes to get forward, but I'm no stranger to playing that deeper position and would be happy to play there.

“Whether I have done enough to get a game next week I don't know.

“Simon Hackney and Phil Ifil both did well today so we have made it difficult for the manager. He has got some decisions to make next week and I'm sure he will relish that.”