A RARE break has recharged Rob Hall’s batteries for Oxford United’s trip to Sky Bet League One strugglers Chesterfield this afternoon.

Before Tuesday night, the winger had started an incredible 21 of 23 games since returning from an eight-month lay-off with a knee injury.

But with a congested fixture list, U’s boss Michael Appleton is having to watch his players’ energy levels very carefully.

Hall was one of three players who dropped to the bench for Tuesday night’s 1-0 win at Charlton Athletic.

The 23-year-old came on for the final 15 minutes and expects to feel the benefit of the breather against the Spireites today, if selected.

“Absolutely, you can’t underestimate having a rest because it’s so good for your body, especially with some of the fixtures we’ve had,” he said.

“I’ve never really had a busy schedule like this before.

“Tuesday was my first real rest since I’ve been back and I’m going to try to use that to my advantage.

“Hopefully I’ll bring more energy to the team than I would have done if I hadn’t had the rest.

“When the gaffer took me to one side and told me, I had nothing but respect for his decision.

“You want to play every minute, but you have to be sensible with your legs.

“From having eight months out to play 21 out of 23, I’m really delighted.

“Whoever is picked, I’m confident they can go and do a job in this team, because we proved it on Tuesday night.”

The Valley victory moved the U’s into the top ten, but Appleton’s side need to push on if they are to stay in contention with the play-off pack.

Chesterfield are also desperate to secure a good result, but for a very different reason.

The Spireites are six points adrift of safety, with boss Gary Caldwell still looking for his first win in charge at the seventh attempt.

But they did earn a goalless draw at high-flying Millwall in midweek and Hall is preparing for as difficult a game as United had last Saturday.

He said: “It will be as tough a test as Middlesbrough, because they are down there fighting for their lives.

“We have to make sure we bring our A-game.”