Oxford United manager, Karl Robinson has heaped praise on Blackpool loanee, Jordan Thorniley, and is not ruling out a permanent deal for the centre-back, reports The Oxford Mail.

Thorniley, an ever-present for the U’s in their league campaign so far, has impressed Robinson with his traditional style and Robinson has compared him to the U's first team coach, ex-Premier League defender, Craig Short.

Robinson told The Mail when asked about Thorniley: “I’m not sure whether he’s Shorty’s son, because he looks like him and he also plays like him. He wears the battle scars very well. He’s in the wrong era, but he’s a lovely footballer. He’s been exceptional and one that I’m really excited about.”

Robinson’s praise obviously begs the question whether he will seek to make Thorniley a full-time addition at The Kassam Stadium at the end of his season-long loan but Robinson was coy, stating: “It’s not something we want to talk about externally, but you’d imagine by my comments how much I like him."

However, although Blackpool allowed Thorniley to leave Bloomfield Road in the pursuit of first team football, Blackpool manager Neil Critchley is keeping a close eye on Thorniley’s progress telling the Blackpool Gazette: “Ethan (Robson, currently on loan at MK Dons) and Jordan were brilliant for me last season and they wanted to go and play on a regular basis, which was the right thing for them to do.

“We shall keep in contact with them and we shall keep watching them, because they’re still contracted to us.”

The Verdict

It should come as no surprise that Thorniley has impressed so far for Oxford, having being a crucial player for Blackpool from Christmas onwards last season and contributing to their promotion to the Championship.

Oxford will look to pursue a deal if Robinson’s comments are anything to go on but another impressive campaign in League One will mean that the Seasiders may wish to hold onto him, irrespective of what league they find themselves in next season.