Oxford United boss addresses Harris/O’Donkor striker battle

Harris scored the U’s first goal of the season against MK Dons last week to put the hosts 1-0 up on the opening day before going on to draw the game 2-2.

Ciaron Brown’s 95th-minute equaliser rescued a point for Ramsey’s men, O’Donkor doing brilliantly to put the ball on a plate for the centre back after coming off the bench.

With Oxford currently under a temporary transfer embargo, the club is left with just two striker options in Harris and O’Donkor, both fighting for a starting spot up front.

“Having two players who have different attributes is going to ask opposition different questions,” former Arsenal midfielder Ramsey stated ahead of his side’s first League One away fixture at Stevenage on Saturday.

“So for them both to be in a good place and realise that they are going to be super important for us this year is what we need.

“That competition as well is going to be key.

Gatlin O’Donkor shoots for Oxford United (Image: Oxford United)

“I’ve been so impressed by [O’Donkor].

“He’s got so many different qualities that can cause defenders problems.

“He came on and made a great impact with his physical attributes, then his link-up play, the way that he swivelled and set up the goal.

“He’s a real asset for us; been super impressed with him, his impact.

“He’s going to help us a lot this year.”

21-year-old O’Donkor scored three goals in four pre-season matches this summer after an injury-hit campaign last term.

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Oxford United stars Gatlin O’Donkor (left) and Jack Currie (right) model the new third kit (Image: Oxford United)

His teammate Harris, a former international teammate of U’s boss Ramsey with Wales, scored 19 goals in his last campaign in League One and will be looking to replicate that on the Yellows’ return to the third tier.

“Sparky will get opportunities this year,” the U’s boss declared.

“I played with Sparky for many years.

“I don’t want to go too much into what it was for the last few seasons here, but the way that I want to play the game and that I see the game, he will get opportunities.

“He’s got more than enough quality to put the ball into the back of the net, which he showed on Saturday and hopefully now that’ll continue.

Oxford United striker Mark Harris (Image: Jason Dawson)

“I know all of Sparky’s qualities, obviously playing with him and seeing the quality of the player that he is.

“He’s more than capable of scoring goals on a regular basis.

“He gets himself in really good positions and he’s a good finisher as well.

“He just needed that goal.

“But not just him. All of our attacking players will get chances this year and hopefully have opportunities to hit some good numbers.

“I’m excited from that front.”