LIAM Manning has been impressed by the development shown by Gatlin O’Donkor during pre-season as he still looks for further options up front.

In addition to 18-year-old O’Donkor, Oxford United head coach Manning has just summer signing Mark Harris available to him, with doubts surrounding the long-term fitness of Sam Baldock, who played just four times last season.

Manning is still on the search for striking options, with negotiations continuing with Liverpool over 19-year-old forward Max Woltman, who trained with the U’s this summer and appeared as a trialist in the pre-season win against Swansea City.

READ AGAIN: Oxford United in talks with Liverpool over young forward

O’Donkor though has been singled out for praise by Manning after a positive showing as a substitute in the 5-0 thrashing of Queens Park Rangers.

“I have to give a huge amount of credit to Gats,” said Manning.

“Gats is still 18 and he’s showing the bit between his teeth recently in training, and that’s transferred into games.

“It doesn’t surprise me that he’s performing better in games from what the start of pre-season looked like.

“He came on and had a really positive impact, and hit the post.

“What we have got is options in attack and if we want to do well, that’s going to be important.”

About the author

To sign up to Liam’s latest Oxford United newsletter for free, click here: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/newsletters/

Formerly the politics reporter for the Oxford Mail, Liam now covers all things Oxford United.

Liam attends the U’s home and away, as well as covering other big sports stories across the county.

His Oxford United newsletter is released every Saturday morning at 6am.