LIAM Manning has praised Max Woltman for biding his time and staying patient after signing for Oxford United.

The former Liverpool youngster signed for the U’s last month and was earmarked as a development project rather than someone immediately ready for the first team.

Woltman though impressed on his debut as United beat Northampton Town 3-1 in the EFL Trophy earlier this week.

The 20-year-old showed some positive touches in the final third and grabbed an assist for Mark Harris to put the U’s 3-1 up.

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Asked about Woltman’s performance and the next steps in his progression at the club, Manning responded: “Max has got some abilities, you can’t question that, and he’s a great lad.

“He’s up for the fight and I think that’s the biggest bit.

“He’s come here and we’ve got some depth and talent, so it’s now about him rolling his sleeves up and delivering.

“In this game, nobody opens a door for you. You have to force a way through it and that’s been the message to him.”

Woltman trained with United this summer and appeared as a substitute in the pre-season win against Swansea City, prior to signing for an undisclosed fee.

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