DES Buckingham described Josh McEachran as one of the best passers he has ever worked with, as he talked through the call to select McEachran ahead of Will Vaulks.

Summer signing Vaulks occupied the deep midfield role in Oxford United’s first three Sky Bet Championship games, but was dropped to the bench against Preston North End, as McEachran came in.

The Chelsea academy graduate was excellent against the Lilywhites, with his passing range ensuring United got up the pitch in different ways.

McEachran’s floated delivery onto the head of Mark Harris allowed the U’s to pull level, after Emil Riis had given North End an early lead.

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United head coach Buckingham said: “We’ve tried to build a squad which will help us manage through the Championship, and I think sometimes players deserve an opportunity, and in that six role, we’ve got Will Vaulks and Josh McEachran.

“That’s the way I see it with those two. When Josh has come on, he’s played extremely well.

“Josh is one of the best passers of the ball that I’ve ever worked with, and based on Tuesday’s performance, and what we thought we might get here, having the ability to rotate players, as we’ve got that squad, and we have to do that now.

“When the result goes for you, it probably doesn’t get looked into too much, but anyone that was here can see how good a player he still is, and how important he’s going to be to us.

“If the result goes against you, people I’m sure will look and say ‘you shouldn’t have made that change’.

“I see them every day, and we try and make the right decision, and the best decision that we feel will get us the result.”