U's assistant head coach Chris Gunter has backed the academy graduate after three good opportunities went begging on Saturday.

O'Donkor was awarded his first League One start of the season, and his first league start for Oxford in three-and-a-half years, against the Bantams, impressing with overall performance.

The 22-year-old pressed with intensity and aggression whilst showing top-tier movement to get into some brilliant goal scoring positions.

Coming in for Wales international Mark Harris, O'Donkor's performance certainly stood out but the centre forward was unfortunately unable to find the net.

"I haven't had any chats with Gats actually after the weekend," Yellows coach Gunter said ahead of his side's Tuesday night clash with second-placed Stockport County.

Gatlin O'Donkor heads at goal (Image: Darrell Fisher)

"He's been so good for us and...at the start of the season, his first three shots on target, he's got three goals.

"His job is to get chances and you're not going to score with every chance you get.

"There was a couple on Saturday, of course, he had opportunities, but he'll miss plenty more of those in his career and he'll score a lot of them as well; it's the life of a striker.

"You'd be hoping and wishing he may have taken one but in terms of how we got there in the first place, the more opportunities he gives himself, the better he's going to be.

Gatlin O'Donkor sees a shot saved against Bradford (Image: Darrell Fisher)

"I thought his all-round game on Saturday was top draw.

"He's not in any way affected by it. There's absolutely no reason why he would be.

"You know what he brings to the team is massively important and he'll miss a lot more for us because he gets himself into those positions so many times.

"We love him. He's such a big part for us and he'll go on to score many, many goals for this football club."

Gunter also touched on the fitness of the group in the midst of a busy schedule.

"Generally, really good.

Oxford United head coach Aaron Ramsey (left), coach Tom Hutton (centre) and assistant Chris Gunter (right) (Image: Darrell Fisher)

"I think in terms of the injury side, it's progressing really nicely.

"Some of the boys are nearing the end of their rehab.

"In terms of the actual physical side of the boys who have been playing as well, I think the intensity that they've been playing at, being able to repeat physical numbers right the way through the season, every game seems to be improving with that as well."

Oxford welcome Stockport in midweek for a third home game in the space of a week, with Aaron Ramsey's side looking at going eight games unbeaten in League One with a result at the Kassam Stadium.