Oxford United winger Rob Hall has told the Oxford Mail that he is desperate to stay with the U’s next season. The 25-year-old, who has missed the majority of the season due to injury, returned on Saturday in the U’s 2-2 draw with Doncaster Rovers.
Rob Hall Committed to Oxford
Hall Determined to Put Injury-Hit Season Behind Him
Oxford United winger Rob Hall is desperate to feature for Karl Robinson’s side next term. But with his contract due to expire in the summer and recent injury woes, the former MK Dons man knows it won’t be easy.
Having been sidelined for eight months, Hall made a ten-minute substitute appearance at the Kassam on Saturday. It was just his third appearance of the season, but the support has spurred him on. However, Hall has made it clear where he wants to be playing his football next season.
“It has been very hard, both mentally and physically for me,” he said, “I have probably frustrated a lot of people at the club by being injured, but the fans have stuck by me and the team and I was just delighted to get out there and show people I am still alive.”
Former West Ham United man added; “I have had meetings with the gaffer and he wants to keep me, it’s just what works with the club and I respect that. I know it has to be a business decision as well as a footballing one.”
The U’s winger has struggled with injuries since his return to the Kassam Stadium. That said, the support from the backroom team have kept his hopes alive.
“I love the people that work here and have got a great relationship with the supporters. I don’t want to do that anywhere else and I can’t express that enough.”
He added: “This is like a second home town for me. I can’t get any simpler, I want to play here. Whatever I have to do to stay, I will do that. I have already started to do a few things and that’s all I can do. It’s up to the club now.”
Hall’s career could have been in doubt, which is why he felt relieved to return to the field on Saturday.
“A lot of people don’t know the actual statistics of my injury,” he said. “But it was very close to me not playing again. So just being able to run and being out there you cherish a bit more because those things can be taken away from you in a click.
The winger only featured for ten minutes, but he faced a number of challenges, all of which he came through unscathed.
Looking Forward
The big question is whether or not he’ll feature at Luton. The likelihood is that he’s again be used a substitute when Oxford travel to league leaders, Luton Town.
Another question facing Robinson is what sort of contract to offer the 25-year-old. If he’s unfortunate enough to suffer similar injuries next season, the U’s would need to bring in replacements like they did this season. But this will affect the wage budget. Maybe the U’s could tie him down on an appearance basis?
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