FORMER Oxford United forward Jamie Mackie has praised the impact Mide Shodipo has had during his loan spell from QPR.

Mackie joined the U’s from the Loftus Road outfit in the summer of 2018, going on to make 91 appearances, scoring seven goals.

He retired in July, but has singled out a player now making his way in the game.

Speaking to the EFL, Mackie said: “Mide was there [at QPR] and trained with the first team a lot.

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“He probably struggled a little bit with a couple of injuries earlier in his career where he couldn’t get up and running.

“He made first team appearances but they were few and far between, and a bit sporadic – he couldn’t get himself going.

“He’s an exciting player, I could see that in training and just as important as that, he’s a really good lad.

“He wants to do well, he’s receptive to learning but like any young player, you need to find a situation where you’re trusted and you believe and feel like you’re trusted by your manager and the club to play, and demonstrate what you’ve got.

“Sometimes that means taking a step down, and he’s found the perfect match in Karl Robinson and the style of football he wants to play.

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“Oxford is a club giving those players a platform.

“Now, QPR fans will be looking going ‘this is really exciting because we’ve got someone who’s got the opportunity to flourish’.

“I’m delighted for him because he’s a good guy, and he’s an exciting player and done really well.

“There’s a lot of talent in the EFL and we can see that now with some of the moves in recent times.

“There is that pathway for players now, what they’ve got to understand is that when they go into the lower divisions, you’ve got to apply yourself and realise what it takes to be a proper professional.”