Chris Wilder has laid down a challenge to his strikers to step up to the plate, following the departure of hot-shot loan star Rob Hall.

The U’s were hoping to extend the 18-year-old’s spell from West Ham, after he scored six goals in nine starts for the League Two club.

But he has been recalled by Hammers boss Sam Allar-dyce as striker cover.

“We would love to have kept him, but these things can happen,” said the Oxford United boss.

“It speaks volumes of how he has done in his time here. And now he is getting back involved in a team that is trying to get into the Premier League.”

While disappointed that Hall is returning, Wilder said it opened the door for the club’s other strikers.

“It is definitely the chance for other people to stake a claim,” he added.

“We have got Tommy (Craddock) coming back, Danny Philliskirk (on loan from Sheffield United), Deane Smalley and Jonathan Franks as other options.”

Franks, who is on loan from Middlesbrough until January, has yet to make an appearance after dislocating a shoulder in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Bristol City.

He went back to the north-east for treatment and trained with the Championship club for a week, before coming back to Oxford.

And yesterday, he was back training with the U’s.

Wilder has not ruled out a return for the Aylesbury-born Hall.

“We have a good relationship with Robbie and hopefully, if he is not involved at West Ham, then we can do something in the future,” he said.

“That just shows how much he has enjoyed it.”

United chairman Kelvin Thomas said: “Although we are disappointed to see Robbie go, we always knew that this was a possibility when taking him on loan.

“The timing is tough as we had begun discussions on extending his loan for a longer period and there would have been no issue with this without West Ham’s injury problems.”

Tickets for the all-ticket npower League Two home game against Swindon Town on Saturday, March 3 (KO 12 noon) go on sale today.

For full details, visit the club’s official website at www.oufc.co.uk.