MALACHI Napa will play for Oxford United this season, boss Pep Clotet has predicted.

The 18-year-old was loaned out to Hampton & Richmond Borough last month and has quickly become a hit at the Vanarama National League South club.

His two goals in eight games included a strike in the Emirates FA Cup against Potters Bar Town, setting up a third qualifying round trip to Cinderford Town tomorrow.

Hampton have now extended the arrangement until the new year, which works well for all parties.

United have been closely monitoring the winger’s progress and Clotet believes Napa will make his senior debut for the club this season – even raising the possibility of recalling him during the extension.

He said: “I think Malachi is a player we will see this season with us, because he has a lot of positive things in his football.

“This kind of loan is very good because we can recall at any time and meanwhile he is there playing games.

“That makes it very good for his development to play a lot of games and whenever we need him we can recall him in a few hours.”