GATLIN O’Donkor is undeterred by the possibility of Oxford United signing another striker in the January window.

The 18-year-old forward has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign with the club, netting his first two goals for the U’s.

He said: “This season has gone better than I expected.

“Before the season, if you’d told me I’d have made 20 appearances, I’d have said you’re lying to me.

“I think I’ve come a long way since I first started training with the first team.”

Asked about the potential of United bringing in a striker this month, O’Donkor said: “That’s just football, me coming through is the same as Oxford signing a striker.

“When I hear transfer rumours, I don’t really look at it because that’s how football is – people are going to come and people are going to go.”

On being a role model for younger players at the U’s, O’Donkor said: “You always want to be someone that people can look up to.

“When I was coming through, there were people I was playing with who were making first team appearances, and I tried to see what they were doing and take that into my game.

“It’s always good to hear that people are looking up to you.”