The 17-year-old made a big impression on the MK Dons first-team

Teenager Jack Burke carried himself like someone much older and more experienced when he came on during MK Dons’ FA Cup third round clash with Oxford United.

The 17-year-old was an extra-time change for Gethin Jones, coming into the back three to hold up the Championship side’s advances, notably keeping tabs on Matt Phillips - the experienced striker at the opposite end of his career.

Burke though, who made his first appearances for the club in the Vertu Trophy earlier this season, gave head coach Paul Warne and fellow centre-back Jack Sanders no cause for concern during his showing, carrying himself like someone further into their footballing career.

“Jack was brilliant,” said Sanders. “To step into a game like that, the magnitude of it, that’s massive. He showed a lot of composure, he defended well, he just slotted in like a regular first-teamer.

“I relate back to what I was doing at his age, I was at college and not playing professional football. For him to playing at this level at his age, he slotted in so well. He talks well for a young boy as well which is really important.

“The game was so open when he came on so we had to all stick close together, myself, Offy and Jack as a unit. Apart from their chance at the end, they didn’t really create much on the goal.

“Hats off to him and the academy for producing players like him.”

Having trained regularly with the first team, young Burke’s first FA Cup appearance did not immediately register with boss Warne.

“I wasn’t really putting it down as anything great, which sounds awful,” he said. “I’ve just got used to having him around!

“He’s the oldest 16-year-old I know! He’s pretty relaxed, and when I told him he was going on and to enjoy it, he said ‘I’ll be fine, gaffer’ so it’s only now I realise the enormity of it.

“He’s played against a Championship side in the FA Cup, it’s on TV, and he had an ex-West Brom striker taking him on. It's a massive credit to him and hopefully it’s the start of a prosperous and enjoyable career.”