Cambridge United to continue without Dan Nlundulu and Sullay Kaikai for League One clash against Wrexham

Neither Dan Nlundulu nor Sullay Kaikai will return to the Cambridge United squad for tomorrow night’s home encounter against Wrexham.

After Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Northampton Town, U’s head coach Neil Harris did not elaborate too much on the attack-minded duo’s absence – choosing to only say that both players had removed themselves from training earlier in the week.

But ahead of the visit of promotion-hunting Wrexham, Harris confirmed that the pair are currently searching for fitness.

For Nlundulu, the striker on loan from Bolton Wanderers has struggled to get up to full speed following the hamstring injury that he sustained at the turn of the year.

Harris said: “Injuries affect players in different ways. Dan is a loan player, I’ve worked with him on the training pitch and I’ve had some really good conversations with him.

“He’s a player that is clearly searching for a home in football to really nail down a place and be a regular starter and have longevity somewhere. He came here with the thought process of playing those games, but also maybe finding a home.

“I have had a good couple of conversations with him, it’s just not materialised for him to be able to get extended minutes on the pitch.

“I was very careful (with him) coming back from injury. Fitness wise, without working with him before, it’s hard to know where he’s at sharpness wise. But going off the data and just by looking at him, I thought there was more to come.

“Ultimately we have to be fair to players. He’s come on loan to help us and to help himself. If we’d have thrown him in too soon there’s opportunity for breaking down and possibly breaking down for three to six months.

“He’s got a bit of a niggle at the moment and he’s not confident in his body so obviously I’m not going to push a player that’s not our player to get on to the pitch until he’s comfortable with it.

“Dan’s got great attributes, really good attributes. I saw him play earlier in the season and he did play very well. But Dan, with his size and his shape and the way he plays the game, he needs to build his minutes up. He’s that sort of player.

“I’ve been really patient with him but unfortunately he’s had a step back. We hope he’s fit again before the end of the season.”

Kaikai, meanwhile, was due to start away at Barnsley earlier this month before having ‘an unstructured week’.

Harris added: “I’m really disappointed with SK being missing. He had an unstructured week leading up to Barnsley and it’s fair to say he was in consideration in my mind to start that game, but I couldn’t start him because he’d an unstructured week. I’ve been disappointed since we’ve how he’s progressed.

“He’s got a slight issue with a groin and I’m really disappointed he’s not available for me.”

In brighter news, Harris revealed that left-back Scott Malone had taken part in today’s training session.

The 34-year-old, who joined Cambridge as a free agent on 4 March, came off at half-time at the weekend with a back problem, but he should be in contention to face Wrexham.

Long-term absentee Danny Andrew also featured in the session but he is not expected to return to action until the Easter period.