SAM Slocombe has revealed the reason behind his ability to comfortably deal with back-passes on either foot – he used to play up front.

The goalkeeper’s skills with his feet were a key reason why Oxford United wanted to sign him this summer.

Observant supporters will have noticed the right-footed Slocombe’s willingness to distribute the ball on either side.

It lies in his background as an outfield player.

He said: “When I left Lincoln as a 14-year-old I went back to my local club and they had signed another keeper, so I played up front for two years.

“Then we went into men’s football and I played centre midfield for them on a Sunday and played in goal for the first team.”

He added: “You have to be adaptable in the game these days.

“A lot of it goes on at the training ground and you have to work hard on it there.

“Once you’re comfortable you will take it into the game.

“There will be times when I take it on to my weaker foot and I shank it out of play, that’s a fact.

“A couple of seasons ago (at Scunthorpe) we played a game without a keeper on the bench and with 20 minutes to go I got clattered and got a dead leg on my right.

“Ideally you’d want to come off, but I just had to see out the game on my left.”

Slocombe ended up specialising as a goalkeeper and even if an injury crisis hits United’s squad he is not planning on volunteering for a stint in the middle of the park.

He said: “If you play three in the middle you can just stand there and maybe put in a tackle and give it to someone who can play, but it’s far too much running for me these days.”