The 23-year-old midfielder joined Oxford United in the summer after his contract expired at Derby County, however he has found game time difficult to come by.

Sibley had played just 20 minutes of Sky Bet Championship football for the U’s prior to the clash at Fratton Park.

In addition to his league appearances at Coventry City and Blackburn Rovers, Sibley started both of United’s Carabao Cup ties, and at Portsmouth, he netted just a couple of minutes after being introduced as a 70th minute substitute for Ruben Rodrigues.

READ ALSO: U’s boss praises goalscorer after tricky start to life at club

Sibley said: “The way we’ve started has been really good. Coming in as a new lad, I think I’ve got a lot to learn like any player really.

“It’s obviously frustrating. You want to play football at the end of the day, and I’ve always been brought up about being eager to impress and trying to do my best.

“It’s been frustrating, but the gaffer gave me an opportunity and I took that opportunity, so hopefully there’ll be many more.

“We’ve competed in every game that we’ve played. We’ve dropped points where we thought we could’ve won.

“From watching the first couple of games, it’s been really positive, and you can tell the fans are really positive about it. Everyone at the club is really positive. We’ve shown that we can compete in this league.

“You look at the squad now and it’s full of great players. Whoever the gaffer picks, everybody knows we’ve got a great squad. It’s competition and it’s good, and you’ve just got to keep going.”

A very classy gesture from Des Buckingham after the full-time whistle, to guide Josh Murphy over to the away end at Fratton Park, where he received a thoroughly deserved warm reception and round of applause #oufc

📸 Mike Allen pic.twitter.com/FLnDch1udR

— Liam Rice (@OxMailLiamRice) October 5, 2024

On his goal at Fratton Park, Sibley said: “It was a great feeling to get the goal, and it’s amazing for me. I’ve bided my time, but to get on the pitch and get some minutes was good.

“It happened really quickly. It’s one of them where when you get the opportunity to come off the bench, you’ve always got to impress and do your best.

“For me to get that goal is amazing. The whole squad is important this season, and the gaffer’s said that.

“He’s given me the opportunity, and hopefully I can keep getting that opportunity.”

Last month, Sibley scored both goals as the U’s beat Luton Town in an Under-21s clash at the training ground, and the midfielder recognised the value of such games.

“To have the Under-21 games is important. Sometimes they’re not the easiest games to go into because you’d rather be playing in a full packed stadium, but you’ve got to treat it like any another game,” said Sibley.

“When you’re out of the team, it’s important to train well and if there are games, it’s important to get those minutes in your legs. When you come on, you’re sharp and that’s what it’s all about.”