New signing Joe Riley looks forward to playing for United
Oxford United’s newest recruit, Joe Riley, wears an Oxford United shirt for the first time this evening as United welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Kassam Stadium for the club’s first home pre-season match (7.45pm).Riley, 22, who signed yesterday on loan from Bolton Wanderers, is looking to guide the U’s into League One as well as getting his own career back on track after knee injuries have hindered his development.
Riley said: “I always kept positive, it was a big injury but I’d like to consider it behind me now.
“I knew straight away that the club wanted to get promoted, and that’s an objective for this season so hopefully we can all pull in the same direction and do that.”
Jimmy Phillips, former United left-back and now Bolton’s Academy manager, is mentor to Riley and the two discussed the move before the player put pen to paper.
After a full pre-season where he has played 90 minutes more than once, Riley is relishing the chance to put on an Oxford shirt for the first time tonight as he makes Michael Appleton’s squad for the fixture against Wolves.