RUBEN Rodrigues admits he sometimes finds his rapid rise from non-league to the second tier of English football a little bit surreal.

The 28-year-old Portuguese midfielder joined Oxford United last summer, having scored 19 goals and bagged 15 assists to help Notts County secure promotion from the Vanarama National League in the 2022/23 season.

Rodrigues joined the Magpies in August 2020 and won the fans’ player of the season award during his debut campaign.

In total, he netted 54 times for the club across three seasons, including in the National League play-off final victory against Chesterfield.

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Rodrigues said: “I’m glad with how it’s going, but it is of course tough. There are a lot of new faces and lots of new competition.

“I’d just got used to League One and then I’ve had to get used to the Championship. I’m enjoying it, I’ve played a lot of minutes, and I’ve got great competition with Idris [El Mizouni], Tyler [Goodrham], Cam [Brannagan], and Louie Sibley.

“It’s going well, but I hope to be more effective and more important for the team.”

He added: “Sometimes it’s surreal. Less than 18 months ago, I was in the National League, but it’s enjoyable.

“I’m out there playing against such good players, and sometimes it is really tough, but at the end of the day, I’m enjoying it.

“That’s what I’m trying to do. I’m trying to have fun and play the best that I can, and try and work hard for the team.”

This is Oxfordshire:

The difference in level between the leagues Rodrigues has been playing in means he has had to step things up at the training ground, putting in the extras to ensure he is at the intensity required.

Rodrigues said of life in Sky Bet Championship: “You have less time, so you have to worry about your first touch.

“It has to be good, and you have to think about before you get the ball. Everyone is a bit faster and stronger.

“You have to become that, so you start working harder. If I’m just a yard too late, you start to work harder.

“It’s really good and I’m still feeling confident enough to show it at this level.”

Since joining the U’s, Rodrigues has scored 11 goals in 59 league games. He struck nine times as United won promotion from League One last season, including a memorable brace in the 3-2 win at Leyton Orient last November.

His goals this season came in the 2-1 defeat at Bristol City and the 2-2 draw at Luton Town.