ROB Hall could yet feature in the play-offs for Oxford United if the English Football League allow a rule change this week.

It had been presumed the winger was ineligible after spending the second half of the season on loan at Forest Green Rovers.

But the unique circumstances surrounding the restart of football after the long suspension for coronavirus have opened up the possibility of a tweak.

The limited preparation time has seen the number of substitutes expanded from seven to nine, with substitutions increasing to five.

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And with the possibility of losing a handful of players in one go to positive coronavirus tests, the strain would be eased if those who had been on loan were available to feature in the play-offs.

It has already been brought in for Championship clubs and United are hoping to have it confirmed this week.

U’s boss Karl Robinson has been hugely impressed with the 26-year-old since the squad returned to training this month and he looked bright in Sunday’s training match.

He said: “I've said how much he's made a big difference to his life.

“He's gone down a size in his shirt and he looks the Hall that we know.

“If you were watching (on Sunday) you'd be excited. We've been seeing it since we've been back.

“He's certainly on his way back to where he was and hopefully we can have him available.

“He would certainly give us another body on the bench.”

The rules in the Championship appear to suggest priority should go to under 23 players, but United intend to appeal on safety grounds.

Also read: Oxford United get all-clear on latest coronavirus tests

Hall has been involved with the squad for weeks and has been tested for coronavirus twice a week, whereas promoting a young player now from outside the group would bring risks.

Robinson said: “The rule still states the young players who are available should go ahead of him.

“That will be challenged because those young players haven't been tested, we didn't know that was going to be a possibility.

“We've had Hally with us who has been tested on a consistent basis.

“We'll see what the outcome is when the EFL make a decision this week.”