LIAM Kelly believes there are few better places than Oxford United for the club’s young guns to continue their development.

Several academy graduates have featured in this season’s Papa John’s Trophy and the U’s continued involvement in the competition means more opportunities are likely to present themselves.

It maintains United head coach Karl Robinson’s record of developing young players, including bringing through Tottenham Hotspur and England midfielder Dele Alli at MK Dons.

Karl Robinson: Cameron Brannagan and Sam Winnall will be like two new signings

Kelly is relatively young in football terms, having turned 25 last month, and he revealed the whole squad has sought to make the step-up to the first team as smooth as possible.

“It’s been good to get them involved in the group”, he said.

“The young boys have come in and done very well.

“Wherever he’s managed the gaffer has always brought in youngsters.

“If I was a young player I’d be really excited, as the manager isn’t afraid to chuck them in.

“As the younger ones of the group, we’re always saying to youngsters coming in that everyone’s been in that position and it can be a bit daunting.

“The older ones like Mous (John Mousinho), Matty (Taylor) and Jamo (James Henry), who have played a lot of games in the EFL, have taken to them well.

“They’ve got a lot of quality and that can only help.”

Read also: Oxford United give update on John Mousinho's knee injury

Gatlin O’Donkor grabbed the headlines when he became United’s youngest-ever player against Forest Green Rovers earlier this month, before scoring a penalty in the shoot-out victory.

But it was also notable that Robinson threw on the 16-year-old striker with the scores level at 1-1 in the Trophy second round clash.

It was a similar story in the 1-0 group-stage victory over Walsall, when Leon Chambers-Parillon made his debut.

The 19-year-old, now on loan at Havant & Waterlooville, came on with ten minutes to go and provided the assist for Derick Osei’s late winner.

Michael Elechi, Kyran Lofthouse and Nico Jones have also played this season, while Eddie Brearey and Joshua Anifowose have been named on the substitutes bench.

U’s right back Sean Clare, a senior figure in comparison at 24, knows all those who have featured in the senior set-up this season will be itching for another chance.

He said: There’s nothing quite like it.

“When I made my debut I realised that you just want the next game to come, as there’s nothing like playing a proper professional game with fans.”