AS A teenager, Rob Hall used to worry about losing his place to Marcus Browne in West Ham’s youth set-up.

But this summer, the Oxford United winger has been busy trying to arrange a reunion and become teammates for the first time in five years.

Hall said: “As soon as the gaffer told me about it, I said I’ll get on the phone and tell him to come here, because he listens to me in a way.

“I don’t expect anyone to listen to me, but he does.”

While the U’s squad were introduced to what Browne can do when he trained with them for the first time yesterday, Hall was well aware of the 20-year-old’s talents.

The pair were housemates for a while when they were coming through their respective youth teams with the Hammers.

And Browne’s talent shone so brightly it was enough to give Hall sleepless nights, even though he was four years older.

“When I was at West Ham he was the next one in line who had ability and I thought ‘he could take my place’,” Hall said.

“That’s how you look at it in football, as much as everyone is friends you’ve got to be competitive.

“He lived in my digs when I left school and moved up to Romford.

“He was a local boy but he lived in digs and we were in the same house.

“He was tiny, smaller than me, but his ability was a joke.

“It was whether he would grow and you see him now, he’s built like a man.”

Now Browne is looking to follow in Hall’s footsteps.

In 2011, Oxford United gave a then 17-year-old Hall his first break in senior football.

The wiry wide man was a big hit, netting six goals in his first nine games for Chris Wilder’s side.

It gave him a huge confidence boost, knowing he could compete in professional football.

Although Browne arrives at the U’s three years older, he is effectively looking for the same thing.

Hall said: “My first loan here when I was a kid changed my career.

“I think he’s had a loan which hasn’t gone how he’d have liked to, but he’s come down and will play loads of games here.

“Like any young lad with ability like him, once he settles down and our group of lads will help with that, he will be able to just go out on the pitch and enjoy himself.

“He’s got that time now to come here and play under the gaffer we’ve got, which will only be good for him.

“I’m pretty confident he will be a very big hit for us.”