Summer signing Greg Leigh has hit the ground running for Oxford United. In seven appearances, the 29-year-old has scored four goals, added one assist and won the League One Player of the Month for September.
The left-back has also been recalled to the Jamaica national side, where he completed 90 minutes in both CONCACAF Nations League wins over Grenada and Haiti respectively.
Greg Leigh: Player in Focus
League Form
Leigh made his Oxford United league debut as a substitute in a 2-1 win over Charlton. He made his full debut in a 2-1 defeat against Port Vale – a game which had everything. The defender thought he rescued a point with a 93rd-minute equaliser but was awarded a second yellow card just two minutes later before Vale netted a 99th-minute penalty.
He would miss the win at Fleetwood due to suspension but returned as a wing-back in wins over Exeter and Stevenage, with the Jamaican netting a brace in the latter.
He scored again in a win over Shrewsbury before playing another full 90 in a resilient victory over Bristol Rovers.
He has also given Liam Manning a selection headache. Ciaron Brown scooped two end-of-season awards last year but he has dislodged the Northern Ireland international at left back. Instead, Manning has been forced to play a back three in recent games to fit both players in.
Player of the Month
For the second successive month, Oxford United were on the receiving end of an award from the EFL.
In August, Liam Manning picked up Manager of the Month while Leigh was awarded Player of the Month for September.
Three goals in three games and the addition of an assist mean the U’s left-back claimed the prize, becoming the first Oxford player to do so since Matty Taylor in February 2020.
International Duty
Leigh hadn’t represented Jamaica since March 2022 before being recalled in October 2023.
While he didn’t feature in games against Honduras or Haiti on matchday one or two, he made a return to the Reggae Boyz’ lineups and played the full 90 minutes in wins over Grenada and Haiti.
He is clearly part of the plans, both domestically and internationally, as he looks to complete another brilliant season after gaining promotion to the Championship with Ipswich last year.
