Cambridge United striker Shayne Lavery compared to League One top goalscorer Charlie Kelman by U’s boss Neil Harris

For Cambridge United boss Neil Harris, watching Shayne Lavery’s cameo off the bench during yesterday’s 2-1 defeat to Leyton Orient will have been bittersweet.

On the one hand the Harris will have been delighted to have had the Northern Ireland international available for selection for the first time since he returned to the club as head coach in February.

But his lively display will have left Harris – and the Cambridge fanbase – to ponder if the side may not be staring firmly down the barrel of League One relegation had the striker not missed 31 of their 44 fixtures with two hamstring injuries.

“We were able to introduce our quality in Shayne Lavery and everyone in the stadium saw how important is he to our team and our football club,” said Harris.

“At the other end they’ve (Orient) got Charlie Kelman, who has got 20 goals and we haven’t. Shayne Lavery has been injured for a long time and he’s our Charlie Kelman.

“He’s a quality player and he created opportunities for himself.”

Asked if Lavery’s performance had heightened the frustration that he had not been at his disposal from day one, Harris added: “Yes – and that’s not being disrespectful to anybody else because everybody has had a right good go since I’ve been here.

“Shayne is just a very, very good player. He’s a very talented player at the level, that’s why he plays international football and he’s got an excellent scoring record.

“My job now is to make sure he’s fit between now and the end of the season. We realise his importance to the group and I need to make sure I manage him accordingly.

“We’re very respectful to his injury record and how we manage that is really important. That’s down to me and the staff to do that – and we will do that.”

Lavery, who joined Cambridge on a free transfer from Blackpool last summer, is contracted to the club until the end of the 2025/26 season.