OXFORD United have the option to recall Gatlin O’Donkor, but he is set to remain at Barnet after scoring on his debut for the Vanarama National League side.
The 19-year-old striker joined the Bees on loan until the end of the season on Friday, and netted 25 minutes into his debut as his loan team won 3-0 at Welling United in the fifth round of the FA Trophy.
U’s head coach Des Buckingham hopes to see O’Donkor continue among the goals, and plans to keep the centre forward at The Hive in order to get regular game time.
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Asked whether United have a recall option on O’Donkor, Buckingham said: “After 28 days, yes we can if we want. That’s not the intention. We’ve sent Gatlin there because he needs games.
“He’s a very good young prospect for this club, but with us not having a reserve team or a B team here at the moment, his minutes have been hard to come by.
“He’s behind Mark Harris and now Will [Goodwin]. He’s a young player and we know what he can do, and he needs a run of games to do that.
“It’s so good to see he’s gone out and hit the ground running with his goal.
“We hope it continues, and the whole intention is to make sure he gets those games, to then bring him back and see how he kicks on.”
On whether other players, such as Max Woltman, might follow O’Donkor on loan to the National League, Buckingham said: “Now we’ve got everybody back fit, those conversations happen internally.
“They can train and train, but if it’s better for their development, they’re better off doing that.
“If there are opportunities and they’re the right ones, it’s down to the club and players.”
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