The 15-year-old passed away at the weekend after collapsing during on the pitch during a ‘Junior Premier League’ match on Saturday.

Tributes have been paid at Oxford’s training ground over the past couple of days with a minute’s silence to be observed before kick-off against Blackburn Rovers this evening.

Speaking ahead of the Championship fixture, Bloomfield said: “It is devastatingly sad news. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Amelia’s family.

Oxford United manager Matt Bloomfield ahead of the Sky Bet Championship match at the Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry. (Image: Joe Giddens/PA Wire)

“Her teammates were here yesterday and her parents, I met them very briefly. We are all heartbroken for Amelia’s family.

“As a dad, my heart is broken for her parents. It’s been very sombre here as you can understand and we have to make sure that we give Amelia’s friends and family all the love that they need going through this such terrible time.

“It puts everything into perspective. It’s been a tough few days.

READ MORE: Oxford United to hold minute’s silence against Blackburn Rovers

“Amelia’s teammates are going to join us for the game tomorrow evening.

“The club have offered all the support they can to her teammates and the family and that will be ongoing.

Mourners left heartfelt messages at the club’s training facility. (Image: Amir Steve Ali)

“We want them to be friends of our club forever and Amelia will live in our hearts forever and it’s really important that we do everything that we possibly can to support them, not just now, but ongoing.”

Oxford’s club captain Cameron Brannagan also paid his respects ahead of the Blackburn match, saying: “We want to send our condolences to the family and friends. We’re sending them all the love in the world and [it has been] a very tough 48 hours. We’ll do everything we can as a club to help them in any sort of way possible.

“She was very highly thought of in the club.

“We had a minute’s silence…and all the fans will pay their respects [on Wednesday].

“We’ve got a massive game [on Wednesday], but it does put everything into perspective.”

A book of condolence has been opened for the young footballer where members of the public can pay their respects.

Handwritten notes and flowers were left in tribute to Amelia Aplin. (Image: Amir Steve Ali)

Amelia was a member of High Wycombe Swimming Club, saying it is ‘devastated’ after the teenager’s death.

Other tributes from across football have been pouring in.

Fulham FC Women said: “Everyone at Fulham Football Club is shocked and saddened to hear this news. Our thoughts are with Amelia’s family and friends, and all associated with Oxford United.”

A statement from nearby Didcot Town said: “The thoughts of everyone at Didcot Town are with the family and friends of Amelia and Oxford United.”

The Tottenham Hotspur loanee is the U’s top scorer so far this season with nine goals in all competitions.

His performances and attitude in a struggling Yellows team have quickly seen the 20-year-old become a fan favourite in OX4 since his summer loan move.

Lankshear demonstrated his loyalty in the January transfer window, with journalist Pete O’Rourke reporting that the England Under-21 international had received offers from Championship promotion-chasing sides Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town.

Ciaron Brown wheels away after scoring Oxford United’s third goals against Preston (Image: Oxford United)

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Despite receiving propositions from higher up the league, the United top scorer chose to see out the season with Matt Bloomfield’s team, showing his commitment to the cause as the U’s continue to fight against relegation from the second tier for the second season running.

READ MORE: Oxford United boss and captain pay tribute to Amelia Aplin

Oxford have won their last three games, with Lankshear bagging a goal in each of those fixtures against West Bromwich Albion and Preston North End.

A 1-0 win over Blackburn Rovers at the Kassam Stadium on Wednesday evening leaves them in 22nd, level on points with Leicester City in 21st and just one point behind their Lancashire opponents in midweek.

The game was a poignant occasion with fitting tributes for academy goalkeeper Amelia Aplin who died at the age of 15 last weekend.

The 15-year-old died at the weekend after collapsing during on the pitch during a ‘Junior Premier League’ match last Saturday.

Tributes have been paid at Oxford’s training ground over the past week and a minute’s silence was observed before kick-off against Blackburn Rovers.

Flowers, scarves and messages were left draped on the bronze ox statue outside the Kassam Stadium.

The game was then paused for a minute’s applause in the 15th minute as the U’s won 1-0 on the night.

Tributes left for Amelia Aplin outside the Kassam Stadium (Image: Submit)

Tributes left for Amelia Aplin outside the Kassam Stadium (Image: Submit)

Tributes left for Amelia Aplin outside the Kassam Stadium (Image: Submit)

Tributes left for Amelia Aplin outside the Kassam Stadium (Image: Submit)

Ahead of the game, head coach Matt Bloomfield said: “It is devastatingly sad news. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Amelia’s family.

“Her teammates were here yesterday and her parents, I met them very briefly. We are all heartbroken for Amelia’s family.

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“As a dad, my heart is broken for her parents. It’s been very sombre here as you can understand and we have to make sure that we give Amelia’s friends and family all the love that they need going through this such terrible time.”

The Oxford Mail’s sports reporter Malachi Obrey, covering the game at the Kassam on March 11, described the atmosphere as “very emotional”.

He said: “There was a minute’s silence ahead of the first whistle with Amelia’s teammates and parents in attendance for a sombre moment of reflection.

“Another stoppage as well at the 15-minute mark as the whole ground united in applause – a reminder that there are things bigger than football and great to see all corners of the ground united.”

Oxford City offered its “sincere condolences” to the family of Amelia Aplin and to “our friends” at Oxford United during this “incredibly sad” time.

A statement from Summertown Stars Football Club said: “On behalf of everyone at Summertown Stars — players, coaches, parents and volunteers — we want to pass on our deepest condolences to Amelia’s family, her friends, her teammates and her coaches. This is an unimaginably difficult time for all who knew and loved her.

“We are a grassroots football club, and moments like this remind us that the game we all pour so much into is about so much more than football.

“It’s about community, and right now our community’s thoughts are with Amelia’s family and everyone at Oxford United Women.”

A statement from Fulham FC Women added: “Everyone at Fulham Football Club is shocked and saddened to hear this news. Our thoughts are with Ameila’s family and friends, and all associated with Oxford United FC.”