Two youngsters who have played a big part in Oxford United Under 18s' unbeaten start to the season have been taken on by the club as scholars.

Marvin Martin, 17, comes from Headington and is the first product of the successful Sports Apprenticeship Scheme, which the club has set up with the Oxford Academy.

He is joined by Imani Likita, 16, who becomes Oxford's youngest scholar.

Youth team coach Les Taylor said: "Marvin came to us late in his 16th year and had half a season as a schoolboy.

"He was tall, but slight and we didn't feel that he was quite right for a scholarship at that stage.

"He joined us on the SAS scheme where he studied for a year, splitting his time between training, coaching and continuing his education. Our coaches could keep an eye on him there, but he was also able to carry on in the classroom at the same time.

"He would come to us on day release and played for the youth side last year as a schoolboy, and he continued to develop physically and in football terms.

"He came back for pre-season, having finished his academic studies and has been outstanding.

"Since he is only just 17 we were still able to offer him a two-year scholarship, similar to the way Alex Fisher joined us.

"The SAS has gathered praise throughout the year and goes from strength to strength with the new intake of 40 students this year just starting out. Again, we will work closely with them and help them develop on and off the pitch."

Martin is a centre half or left back, but this season has been playing in the middle of defence because of Likita's fine form at left back.

"Imani is relatively local and was spotted by one of our recruitment team at under 16 level," Taylor said.

"Youngsters develop at different speeds, and it was over the last 12 months that he started to catch our eye.

"He's only just turned 16, so he's our youngest scholar, but he's done very well so far and has earned his two-year scholarship."

Oxford Under 18s take on Swindon Town in the Youth Alliance Cup at Abingdon Town on Saturday (10.30am).