Chris Wilder says that loan signing Jonathan Franks has the potential to be a top player.

Franks joined Oxford late on Wednesday night from Middlesbrough.

And Wilder says that it was his parent club that were key to the move – not in pushing for the transfer, but for the gorunding they have given him.

“You look at a lot of academies and know to a degree what you are going to get from them,” Wilder said.

“But Middlesbrough really does produce players that are good footballers who know the game and what it’s all about.

“The mentality of their players are always good and that obviously has an impact on everything.

“Jon will come in, it’s his first spell away from Middlesbrough, and he won’t want to let himself down, or his club down.

“And I’m sure that he won’t on any count.”