KARL Robinson has described Lewis Bate as one of the best players he has coached.

Bate has become a key cog in Oxford United’s midfield in recent weeks, as the club looks to claw back up the table and into the play-off places.

The 20-year-old is on a season-long loan from Premier League outfit Leeds United, and cost the Yorkshire club a reported £1.5 million when they signed him from Chelsea in the summer of 2021.

Having established himself alongside Cameron Brannagan and Marcus McGuane in the U’s midfield this season, head coach Robinson was effusive in his praise of Bate following the 3-1 win at home to Charlton Athletic on Thursday night.

Having worked with the likes of Dele Alli and Patrick Bamford while at MK Dons, Robinson is in no doubt that Bate is up there with the best players he’s coached.

He said: “He’s one of the best I’ve worked with, and I mean that.

“The problem is we’ve got him so young, we’ll be watching him in three or four years’ time running games at the top level – I’m sure of that.

“The kid’s a magician. He needs goals and assists, that becomes the reason you play in the central area of the football pitch.

“Cameron Brannagan does that and that’s something he [Bate] needs to start adding to his game.”