Mark Bonner gives transfer update as defensive injuries hit Cambridge United
Mark Bonner is seeking to add to Cambridge United’s defensive options before the transfer window closes.
With Lloyd Jones and Jubril Okedina ruled out through injuries, Paul Digby was forced into action as an auxiliary centre-half in the 2-1 defeat at Accrington Stanley last Saturday.
Jones may be back for tomorrow’s trip to Plymouth Argyle, and United head coach Bonner said: “We will see how he is this morning (Monday).
“He was looking better at the weekend so it is touch wood on that one, so we’re hoping he is available but it will probably be a fairly late shout.
“We’ve got a chance to see if it settles and if he can be available.”
But Okedina faces a longer spell on the sidelines after suffering an ankle injury in the Carabao Cup game against Swindon Town.
He was due to visit a specialist to assess the injury today (Monday).
With Greg Taylor the only other senior out-and-out centre-back on the books at United, it means that they are assessing their options to bolster the defence.
“We were looking at it anyway in terms of bringing another one in,” explained Bonner.
“We thought 10 days ago we had one - exactly at the same time as Jubril - to come in and be an additional one, but he ended up going somewhere else.
“There is certainly the intention to add in that position because we know how light we are in terms of cover.
“We’ve known all along really that adding in that position is important but wanting to sign someone and actually signing someone are two completely different things so it doesn’t always work out in terms of recruiting players.
“Finding the right ones and actually getting something over the line is not as easy as people like to think.
“It can be obvious that you want to sign a player or need to sign a player, but it’s not always as easy to do that.
“We’ve obviously got a few weeks left in the window to activate something to try to make sure we’re covered and competitive in those positions and we will keep working on that.”
For the trip to Devon, Bonner is hoping that everyone else will be fit to play, but they will be keeping a check on Harrison Dunk and Shilow Tracey.
“Harrison took a hefty whack to his ankle so was hobbling home on Saturday but he recovers quite well so we’re hoping he will be available,” said Bonner.
“Shilow had a bit of tight calf last week which saw him not train so much. Hopefully that has settled, and obviously he came on for a really short period on Saturday.”
He added: “We will try to pick the best XI to go and be competitive from the start and, as has been the case in recent weeks, look for a real impact from those that come off the bench.”
