JORDAN Thorniley has been praised for the way he’s applied himself during a sustained period out of the Oxford United starting line-up.

Prior to last night’s Carabao Cup win against Peterborough United, Thorniley hadn’t made a U’s start, or appearance altogether, since the EFL Trophy defeat at AFC Wimbledon back in January.

He was impressive though against the Posh, and seamlessly stepped back into first team action.

United head coach Des Buckingham also highlighted that Thorniley is the club’s most experienced centre half when it comes to games in Sky Bet Championship.

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The 27-year-old has made 75 appearances in the second tier (44 for Blackpool and 31 for Sheffield Wednesday), comfortably more than the rest of the centre back options combined.

Ciaron Brown featured 17 times for Cardiff City in the Championship, with the Northern Ireland international adding another second tier appearance in the opening game victory against Norwich City.

Elliott Moore and Sam Long, who was playing at right back, made their Championship bows against the Canaries.

Buckingham said: “Jordan is the most experienced Championship central defender that we have. He’s played a lot of games at that level.

“Elliott and Ciaron have struck up a really strong partnership, but how he’s been around the training ground every single day, whether it be last season or this, and how he’s applied himself, I can’t speak highly enough of him.

“That’s why he gets the opportunity to play, to make sure that if we make a decision to rest or drop Elliott or Ciaron in that partnership, he’s ready to step in.

“He recognises the need to be patient, and while players are playing well in front of you, that’s part of professional football.”