On-loan Blues midfielder Rekeem Harper impressed Exeter manager Gary Caldwell in his first senior appearance since October as the Grecians won 2-0 away against the MK Dons on Saturday.

Harper, 22, joined the Devon club on loan in August but drifted out of the first-team picture earlier in the season having made 10 starts and three sub appearances.

The former England U17 and U19 international played one game for the Blues this season prior to his loan at Exeter, the 1-0 Carabao Cup defeat to Colchester. Having played for two clubs already this season meant he couldn’t have joined another club during January had Exeter sought to end his spell.

The former West Brom man hadn’t featured since Caldwell took over as boss in late October but caught the ex-Scotland international’s eye in training.

“He earned the right to play,” Caldwell told DevonLive. “It is never easy when you are not in the team. Training is one thing but the speed of the game can take your breath away a bit.

“He grew into and got a hold of the game, and that allowed us to gain some impetus and then the quality came off the back of that.

“He did well. It is never easy when you have not played but once he got into the game and found the rhythm, he and Archie [Collins] put their stamp on the game and that control is something we are looking at.”

He added: “Rekeem was struggling to get game time, but since then his training levels have gone up.

“He’s shown the quality that he has and he’s been patient in waiting for his opportunity. For Rekeem and everyone that isn’t making the starting XI, they have to train properly and be ready for their moment whenever that comes.”

Harper, who played the first 77 minutes before being replaced, is contracted to the Blues until the summer of 2024 with the club having an option for a further year.

Photo: Matchday Images

Ipswichbusiness added 09:55 - Jan 30 I hope for his sake that he does well, but I can't see him playing for us again. I suspect that he will be moved on in the summer.
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tractorshark added 10:27 - Jan 30 Reading between the lines of those comments, it sounds like he hasn't always shown the right attitude in training or maybe the right work ethic. Unquestionably, there is a quality player there but whether he thought success would just fall into his lap, only he knows. Whatever the reason, it's good to see him making his mark because he's got the talent to play at a decent level. I saw him at Cheltenham when he first joined and, like Edwards, he was excellent that night. But every time since, he's just been guilty of sleeping or naivety. If he's got back on track, maybe it's worth another look in the summer. Time is on his side, although I suspect we will get rid.

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Pencilpete added 11:02 - Jan 30 undoubtedly the lad has talent - i think his confidence was shot to bits under Cook - when he played against Colchester i was hoping to see him like he was when he first arrived but he was just way too 'safe' i didn't see him turn, run, bring the ball forward or anything it was all just a little pass to the bloke next to him or backwards ..... then he made a monumental error for Colchesters goal by passing it across his own penalty area which you get taught not to do in the under 9s and i think the writing was on the wall for him after that. If he can't get in the Exeter team i can't see his career with us lasting beyond the summer which is a real shame because when he signed he was seen as a real coup for us

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buzbyblue added 11:15 - Jan 30 Mck moaned about the size of the squad when he arrived, correct me if I'm wrong but it ain't far off again now? Suspect a good half dozen or more will be moved on in the summer including Mr Harper here
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Monkey_Blue added 11:49 - Jan 30 I think there are plenty of “Talented” players who have not matched their talent with hard work and focus. Any idiot can work hard so if he puts in the graft he can have a good career but as has been said I don't think that career is going to be at Portman Road in the long term.
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Radlett_blue added 13:49 - Jan 30 Caldwell is right that adapting to the pace of the game, especially in the hurly-burly of League one, is not easy.
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Linkboy13 added 18:22 - Jan 30 He's still very young at 22 and has some talent but has to work harder otherwise his career will drift away and he will probably regret it.
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