Youngster Oakes impressing Exeter City management

Liam Oakes has played nine first-team games for Exeter City and also had a loan spell at Plymouth Parkway

Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell says he has been impressed by the impact young midfielder Liam Oakes has made this season.

The 18-year-old - who signed his first professional deal in March - has featured four times in cup competitions this season.

He impressed in the 1-0 Vertu Trophy win at Newport County on Tuesday before being forced off with an ankle injury at half time.

"I think he's had a brilliant season in terms of where he was last year and how he's taken to the first team and the opportunities," Caldwell told BBC Radio Devon.

"He's probably a little bit hard done by because of the area the team that he plays is probably a strong area for us, but he trains well every day."

Oakes made his debut in the EFL Cup loss at Walsall in August 2024 and has gone on to play nine times for City, starting all three of this season's Vertu Trophy games.

He is the latest player from the club's academy to become a regular member of Exeter's first-team squad - helped by a smaller transfer budget meaning there are more chances for City's homegrown players.

"I think this year the boys that have came in have had probably more opportunities than they would have done in previous years because of different circumstances within the club," added Caldwell.

"But Oaksey has definitely been one that whenever we've given him that opportunity he's grabbed it.

"I think way back to his debut at Walsall where he had a tough night and he recovered from that so well to then get Man of the Match in his first game after that in the Vertu Trophy game.

"He's always been someone that whenever we give him opportunities shows quality and that can only be good for him and his career moving forward."