ROB Hall is champing at the bit to deliver for Oxford United tonight and show former club Bolton Wanderers what they missed out on.

The winger started just 17 games in three seasons for Wanderers, who released him last summer.

Hall’s time at the club was complicated by the terms of his move from West Ham in 2013, where a tribunal ruled Bolton had to pay a fee for each appearance.

He struggled to establish himself, scoring just twice, and did not reach the sort of form the 23-year-old has shown during a consistent run of games for United.

Tonight will be the first time Hall has come up against Bolton and while he wishes the club well, his mixed spell there serves as added motivation.

He said: “I wouldn’t say it’s a negative because it’s made me a much stronger person mentally.

“I’m hungrier to do well.

“The majority of the fans while I was there were great, but I’m assuming it goes with a former club that they’ll boo me.

He added: “Once you get a run of games you start performing week-in, week-out. I saw a few comments of ‘why weren’t you like this when you were there?’

“The simple fact is I didn’t get the opportunity to do that.

“I’m not blaming anyone. What people see here today is the same as I was there.

“It’s just how football goes.”

Hall was left out of the side on Saturday as boss Michael Appleton made five changes to his starting line-up.

One of those to come in against was Josh Ruffels, who played his part in the 2-1 win against fourth-placed Scunthorpe United.

It added to the competitive record the U’s have had against Sky Bet League One’s top sides, which includes a 2-0 win at Bolton in October.

Ruffels said: “We have played well against the top teams.

“Bolton will be a good challenge for us. It won’t be easy on our pitch but I’m looking forward to it.”