Cambridge United team news: Garry Monk provides updates on Kelland Watts, Ryan Loft, Jordan Cousins, Taylor Richards and Elias Kachunga

Boss Garry Monk has provided injury updates on his Cambridge United side ahead of their trip to Bristol Rovers on Saturday (31 August).

The U’s head to the Memorial Stadium looking for the first victory of their Sky Bet League One campaign following an enthralling 4-4 draw at home to Blackpool last time out – their first point of the season.

Defender Kelland Watts, who joined United on a two-year deal this summer, missed the eight-goal thriller with the Tangerines due to a tightness in his hamstring and Monk revealed he will not be back on the pitch next week, but maybe two weeks after that.

Meanwhile, forward Ryan Loft and midfielder Jordan Cousins are in modified training, and Elias Kachunga (hamstring) is still unavailable.

Elsewhere, QPR-loanee Taylor Richards looks set for a longer spell on the sidelines.

“Taylor (Richards), I wouldn’t say it was a gamble (to play him), but (there) was always that threat that he hasn’t played a lot in recent games,” said Monk.

“Unfortunately an old injury reared it’s head a little bit and it’s how we manage that situation. It will be a period of time that he won’t be on the grass with us, which is really unfortunate for us because he was starting to build his fitness and get minutes on the pitch.

“We’re disappointed with that but also understand that’s part of it as well.

“For every negative there’s a positive, with (Ryan) Lofty and Jordan (Cousins) coming back into the fray and (they) won’t be too far away. (Elias) Kacha (is) only a couple of weeks after them. Anyone will be welcomed back into the squad.”

The squad that travels to Bristol Rovers, which is likely to replicate the one that hosted Blackpool, will face a side who have won, drawn and lost in their opening three league matches.

The Gas will be without experienced forward Chris Martin and defender Joel Senior, who are both set for significant spells on the sidelines.

“They’ve invested in their squad, they’ve got good players, good quality,” said Monk on this weekend’s opponents.

“We’ve watched all their games and they’ve been unlucky in some of the games in terms of result wise.

“We feel a little bit similar in terms of the results we’ve had, we could’ve got better out of it, but really we’re just concentrating on ourselves, understanding what their strengths are, but really just trying to improve ourselves week upon week.”