PHIL Parkinson believes Oxford United have spent well in the transfer market this season ahead of his Bolton Wanderers side's visit to the Kassam Stadium tonight.

The U's sold Kemar Roofe and Callum O'Dowda for seven-figure sums to Leeds United and Bristol City respectively last July.

A portion of the income was diverted into paying fees for Ryan Ledson, Marvin Johnson, Curtis Nelson and Kane Hemmings.

And Parkinson, whose side were beaten 2-0 by the U's in October, believes it was money well spent.

He told the Bolton News: “They are a good side and they have invested the money they got from Leeds United for Kemar Roofe very well on some good young players.

“They are a team with a lot of energy.

"They are still looking at the play-off picture and have got games in hand on the teams around them.

“Like all the teams up there at this stage of the season they have got quality and we need to be ready for that."

United struck in stoppage-time to beat Scunthorpe United 2-1 on Saturday to move up to ninth in Sky Bet League One.

And a win tonight could move them to within two points of the play-off places, if Millwall fail to win at Rochdale. 

Parkinson is wary and was a spectator at the Kassam a fortnight ago when United lost out 3-2 to the league leaders.

He said: “I saw them live against Sheffield United a couple of weeks ago and they impressed me, I have to say.

"It has been a good first season for them back in this division.

"They scored a late goal against Scunthorpe and we have to be prepared to go right down to the wire.

"The game isn't over until the ref blows his whistle."