In-form Cambridge United striker Sam Smith draws praise ahead of clash with Oxford United in League One

In-form Sam Smith has drawn praise for leading the Cambridge United line ahead of their trip to Oxford United in Sky Bet League One tomorrow (Saturday, February 26).

The 23-year-old striker will go back to a club at which he had a loan spell during the 2018/19 season having already struck 15 goals for the U’s this campaign.

Smith has been on target in the last three games, which has also seen the U’s go unbeaten and win the last two, and has stepped up to the mark to be the central point of the attack in the absence of the injured Joe Ironside.

“He has been really good,” said U’s first-team coach Barry Corr, a former striker.

“I thought his work-rate and attitude to the game on Tuesday [a 2-0 win over Plymouth Argyle] was brilliant. He took his goal really well, had chances in the game and was a constant threat. He’s done great.

“It’s unfortunate Joey is out injured but Sam has come in and done really well. I think over a few games as well, we’ve probably got more used to having Sam up the top end of the pitch.

“Obviously they have different talents, they have different attributes so I think the team are playing maybe more to Sam’s strengths as well.

“It adds a bit of extra dynamism, maybe in attack and he can threaten in a bit beyond so he has been really good and his goal return is brilliant.

“Let’s hope he continues with that.”

Ironside suffered an ankle injury in the win over Doncaster on January 18.

Smith had primarily been playing out wide on the right up to that point this season, but has moved inside to the same aplomb.

“He got himself in the team on that right-hand side and he plays that position really well,” said Corr.

“He is very clever with his movement, and he makes really good out-to-in runs.

“He gets himself into goal-scoring positions from that right-hand side. We seem to play against a back three often and it probably suits him being on the right. He comes inside and there is maybe a little bit more room for him to get into those goal-scoring positions.

“He has done really well. Now he has moved as the central striker, he leads the line well.

“He is different to Joey but he still puts himself about and is still a physical player.

“But he obviously has the ability and pace to run beyond and link play really well, so we’re really pleased with him at the moment.”

Corr also provided an update on the possible return of Ironside.

“Joey’s such a hard worker, and he’s doing everything [to get back],” he said. “He’s making really good progress and he’s desperate to be back involved.

“He’s always around the group on match days, and supportive of everybody. He’s such a good team-mate for the guys, so he’s chomping at the bit to get back.

“Hopefully he won’t be too far off.”