ROB Hall has been lined up to make his long-awaited playing return for Oxford United in a development game next week.

The winger turned 23 today and received a major present - taking part in full training for the first time since signing for the U's in the summer.

Head coach Michael Appleton brought Hall in despite knowing it would be several months before he had recovered from damaging cruciate knee ligaments in April.

But progess has been encouraging and after doing some non-contact work with the youth team earlier this week, the time is right to step up.

It is likely to be at least a month before the former West Ham United apprentice appears for the first team.

But Appleton revealed Hall had been pencilled in to feature in a behind-closed-doors game next week.

He said: "We’re hoping he might get a bit of a game next week.

"We have a couple of options for next Tuesday or Wednesday, we’ll make that decision probably tomorrow.

"As of this morning he’s going to come in and train with full contact.

"Let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope he has a reasonable recovery.

"He realises he’s going to need two or three outings in the development squad and then his confidence will improve all the time.

"When you have that type of injury – and I can speak with experience – it’s (about) your confidence more than anything.

"Once you get to that point it’s great for us because we can unleash him."