KUDUS Oyenuga is still loving life at Hayes & Yeading United – but admits he has not yet given up on playing at a higher level.
The club’s top goalscorer has been back in the side and in the goals recently to help ease the club’s relegation fears.
At the same time, he has given management something to think about come the summer, when his current deal with the Blue Square South side runs out.
A run of eight league games without a start in January and February, and a place largely on the substitutes bench since may have had him questioning his future at Kingfield, but the 20-year-old has started, and scored in, the club’s last two matches.
The much-needed wins over Tonbridge Angels and Bromley have provided a lift to players’ faltering morale, but Oyenuga insists he has been happy all along.
“I’m a footballer, I always want to play games, but if the manager wants to drop me, he can, and I will come off the bench and give 100 per cent,” he said.
“The last couple of weeks we’ve been playing with confidence – that’s why we’ve been winning games. I don’t think we’ll get relegated, as we’ve got too many good players.
“Even if we did, I’d still say Hayes are one of the best club’s I’ve played for. They’ve treated me well since I came here.”
Oyenuga said he had been impressed with joint managers Tristan Lewis and Delroy Preddie, as well as by former boss Tony O’Driscoll, who are continuing to pick the team between them, and would relish the chance to stay at the club next season.
But the former Spurs youngster also admitted: “I’d love the chance to play at a higher level, that’s obviously my aim. If there’s a chance for me to go to a better team, I’d love to take that opportunity. I still think I can prove myself.”
In the meantime, it is avoiding relegation, and not edging his season goal tally of 18 towards 20, which is Oyenuga’s first priority.
“If I score goals it’s a bonus, but helping the team out is the most important thing,” he said. “I’d love for them to stay up.”
Hayes & Yeading welcome Eastbourne Borough to Kingfield on Saturday, following tonight’s trip to Sutton United.
