Jamie Donley set for quick Tottenham return after crushing scenes on Oxford United debut
Tottenham loanee Jamie Donley doesn’t seem to have luck on his side after a nightmare debut for Oxford United on Friday.
Spurs decided to recall Donley from Stoke City as soon as the January transfer window opened, with the youngster unable to gain valuable first-team minutes for the Potters.
The Lilywhites then decided to loan him back out to the Championship with Oxford United, where internal figures trust the 21-year-old to develop.
Donley linked up with Will Lankshear, who has been playing well with Oxford and the Tottenham youth pair would have been hoping to form a partnership straight off the bat.
While Lankshear scored another goal for the Yellows in an FA Cup win over MK Dons, everyone at Spurs will now be concerned with Donley.
Injury forced Jamie Donley off after 17 minutes
Donley is a highly-rated talent at Hotspur Way, hence the decision to find the young star the perfect club where he can progress.
The Northern Irishman has played and scored for his country at senior level, also proving his worth last season during a stint with Leyton Orient.
Jamie Donley’s stats for Leyton Orient during 2024-25 season:
- Games: 52
- Goals: 8
- Assists: 11
Donley was given the nod to start by Oxford United’s interim manager Craig Short, but was then replaced in the 17th minute due to injury.
There have been suggestions that the Spurs loanee was unfairly challenged by MK Dons’ Luke Offord, with some saying the tackle should have been a red card.
Given how early Donley was withdrawn and the uproar that ensued from the challenge, there is a strong possibility that if the injury is serious enough, he could return to N17 for rehabilitation.
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How is Will Lankshear doing?
Tottenham made a good choice by sending Donley to Oxford, but his injury was out of their control.
There’s no doubt that Oxford will be a good place for him to develop should he regain fitness quickly, as seen in the evidence shown by Lankshear.
| Games | Goals | Assists |
| 26 | 7 | 1 |
Tottenham loaned the striker out at the start of the season, with the 20-year-old now starting to find his feet in the men’s game.
His move to West Brom didn’t go to plan last season, but the number nine is playing a big role in keeping Oxford United away from the relegation zone.
Now, let’s hope that Donley doesn’t have to come home just yet.
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