PARKY PURRING AT CLOUGH RETURN

PHIL PARKINSON believes it’s only a matter of time until Bolton Wanderers fans start seeing the best of Zach Clough again.

Striker Clough, 21, picked up a hamstring injury in the summer and that led to a number of smaller muscular issues.

All that means Clough has had to be eased into the current campaign, with the last two games marking his first back-to-back starts.

Bolton manager Parkinson can’t wait to see the starlet in full flow again.

“He is starting to look like the player we know he can be,” he said.

“Zach’s season effectively started on Saturday and he’s been doing his pre-season over the course of the last few games.

“We gave him 60 minutes against Blackpool because we felt that should be enough for him – but also because it means he’ll be available for Saturday at Swindon.There has definitely been a spring in his step over the last few weeks.

“We haven’t really seen that since we came in, aside from the first couple of weeks of pre-season when he was absolutely outstanding when we went away.

“Since then, it has been frustrating for him and us but I think he’s starting to get that confidence back.”

ALEX MacDONALD is eyeing up more game time in an Oxford United shirt this season after enduring a difficult start to the campaign. Last weekend, the winger came off the bench and supplied a perfect cross for Wes Thomas to open the scoring against Bolton en route to a 2-0 win. That earned MacDonald, 26, a first start since August in the midweek Checka-trade Trophy clash with Swindon, but he marked it with the first red card of his career. However, after getting back into the starting line-up, MacDonald admits he is hungry for more.

“I’m experienced enough now to know what I need to do to get back in the team,” he said.

“You know if you step out of line or have a bad game there will be someone tto take your shirt off you.

“It’s only good for the team and myself to keep everyone on their toes.”