GATLIN O'Donkor could make Oxford United history tomorrow.

The Under 16 striker will be part of the squad to face Forest Green Rovers in round two of the Papa John's Trophy.

If he gets on the pitch, he will become the U's youngest-ever player at just 16 years and 55 days - beating Tyler Goodrham's record, set last season at Crawley Town, by just 43 days.

The youngster has impressed since moving up to United's Under 18s this season and took part in his first training session with the senior squad this morning.

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First team coach Craig Short revealed O'Donkor did not take long to make his mark.

He said: “He only joined us for an hour, but he’s impressed me already.

"We had to drag him out of school to get him here, he turned up and went around shaking everyone’s hand.

"He’s physically very strong - you wouldn’t think he was 16 and that’s going to help him step up to men’s football.

"I don’t think he’ll find it difficult physically, it’s just about making the right decisions.

"He’s certainly got a future and it’s great to get young players involved."

O'Donkor is the latest in a string of U's youngsters to get an opportunity in the Trophy.

Nico Jones, Michael Elechi, Kyran Lofthouse and Leon Chambers-Parillon all had minutes in United's three group games, while Derick Osei scored in each one.

While the U's inconsistent Sky Bet League One form has limited opportunities on a weekly basis, several rising stars have left an impression.

Short, who was previously in charge of Derby County's Under 23s, said: “Sometimes it’s hard to blood them in league games, because if the team’s not doing so well it’s a difficult ask.

"Hopefully we can ease that pressure by getting results and we can start blooding these young players.

"It’s a good crop – there’s five or six of them that you think will be quite exciting in the years ahead.

"You can always get a gauge by what the senior players’ reaction is and these lads have stepped up and proved themselves in training.

"Now they’ve got to prove themselves on the big stage.”