CHARLIE Rowan hailed the influence of head coach Ross Jenkins after signing a new deal with Oxford City.

The defender follows Reece Fleet, Josh Ashby and Zac McEachran in agreeing to stay at Court Place Farm for the 2022/23 season.

Rowan was signed by former City manager David Oldfield last summer, but only became a regular when Jenkins was made permanent boss in March.

And the 24-year-old has enjoyed life under the ex-Watford midfielder.

FULL STORY: Charlie Rowan signs new Oxford City deal

Rowan said: “He’s been really positive with me.

“Of course, there’s a lot to work on, the same as everyone, but you don’t just want a manager telling you how good you are.

“He gives you different ways to improve and that’s the most important thing.

“The style of football is the most attractive thing and I can’t wait to get started.”

Like Jenkins, Rowan came through Watford’s youth system and believes that link has benefitted his development at City.

He said: “I think it’s helped, we know similar people.

“He’s got that style of play that I want as well, whether that’s from Watford or not I don’t know.

“The way he plays football and wants to improve you is what I’m looking for as a player.”

Rowan moved from Watford to Queens Park Rangers in 2018, before a string of transfers eventually took him to City’s Vanarama National League South rivals Ebbsfleet United in 2020/21.

The centre back arrived at Court Place Farm last July and made an eye-catching start, scoring in two of his first three games.

The minutes dried up until the latter part of the campaign, when he helped City reach the National League South play-off semi-finals.

Jenkins built on the foundations laid by Oldfield before his January departure to Weymouth and, with pre-season starting next week, Rowan is excited for the next chapter.

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He said: “Every club I’ve been at before has always had a certain style of football and I feel like since Ross has taken over we’ve taken that to the next level.

“We keep the ball a lot more, but not just for the sake of it.

“We build up through the thirds and I feel like the other teams are knackered by 60 or 70 minutes because we’ve kept the ball that well.

“Going into pre-season when we’ve got the time to work as a group, we’ll only get better.”