ALEX MacDonald is working on making improvements in his game after admitting he is suffering a frustrating start to the season with Oxford United.

While several of the side’s attacking players have begun with a bang, the winger has yet to really hit top gear.

MacDonald, a deadline day signing from Burton Albion in January, is well aware there is room for improvement.

But the 25-year-old took heart from an encouraging individual display in United’s 1-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday in the Capital One Cup, which he is aiming to build on when Yeovil Town visit the Kassam Stadium tomorrow.

“Personally I think there’s still a lot more to come from me,” he said.

“I’ve had a few frustrating games where I’ve picked up yellow cards.

“I think there are a few things where I need to do a lot better.

“They are things I’m working on, I felt I did well on Tuesday night at Sheffield and hopefully I take that into Saturday to really find some form.”

One area which needs attention is MacDonald’s discipline.

In six appearances he has collected three bookings – the only United player to have his name taken by the referee more than once this season.

All of them have been for mis-timed tackles and head coach Michael Appleton admitted the winger’s yellow card against Mansfield Town last weekend was part of the reason he was substituted at half-time.

The U’s boss does not want to detract from MacDonald’s energetic style, but the player acknowledges there is a need to be more selective when going in for challenges.

He said: “I think that’s the key and not to do it when not just me personally but the team are frustrated with how we’re playing.

“Because of the way I play I always give it everything.

“Sometimes it’s hard to just come off the gas, especially when we’re behind in games and we’re frustrated.

“It’s something I’m definitely working on and looking into.”

The defeat at Hillsborough was United’s first in 14 outings, but they head into the clash with Yeovil on the back of a dozen unbeaten league games.

MacDonald does not think the narrow cup exit has dented confidence.

He said: “We went toe-to-toe with a very good Championship team on their own patch.

“We are still unbeaten in the league and we have this mental toughness where we’re going into games with a mentality of ‘we’re not going to lose this’.

“I think that bodes well.”