Rhodes scored twice in the FA Cup for the U's

Oxford United boss Darren Patterson has revealed he failed in a last-ditch transfer deadline day attempt to loan Ipswich striker Jordan Rhodes.

The 18-year-old had a successful loan spell at the Kassam Stadium earlier in the season and Patterson admits he tried to re-sign the player.

"Jordan is first class. He was excellent for us - one of the best youngsters I have ever worked with.

"I have kept in touch with him and we tried to get him on deadline day."

Rhodes has begun to get more first-team opportunities at Ipswich, and scored a vital equaliser for his promotion-chasing side against Cardiff earlier this month.

"He has good people around him and I think he is already worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. But that won't stop me trying," Patterson added.