Sam Smith to miss Cambridge United’s trip to Newcastle United in the FA Cup
Sam Smith is suspended for Cambridge United’s trip to Newcastle United in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup this Saturday (January 8).
The 23-year-old striker was sent off for two bookable offences in the 0-0 draw with Portsmouth in League One on Monday, but there was uncertainty after the match whether the ban would be immediate and rule him out of the visit to St James’ Park.
However, Mark Bonner confirmed that the one-game suspension will be the clash with the Premier League giants.
The United head coach took a considered approach to Smith missing the game, which came about through a debatable second yellow card for an aerial challenge with Portsmouth’s Connor Ogilive.
“I would prefer it to be this game than a league game, and I’m sure he would as well,” said Bonner.
“Yes, big occasions you want to play in as a player but we know where the bread and butter is for us. This is a bonus competition that we will play in for all of the reasons we’ve spoken about.
“Probably, the most frustrating thing is no-one thinks it was probably a red card - that is where the frustration lies more than anything.
“He misses out on this one and he has been doing well for us, so we will get him back in the team next week and hopefully see the benefit of that.
“Any disappointment that he has, and we obviously have as a team not having him, has just got to be dealt with because the next game comes quite quickly and he has got a major part to play in those ones that are coming up after this weekend.”
Smith’s absence will create an opportunity for someone else to step into the side, and one of those contenders will be Wes Hoolahan.
He returned as a late substitute against Portsmouth, having had a spell on the sidelines through a hamstring problem.
And his experience of the highest level could be a benefit against Newcastle.
“When you’ve got players that have [that experience], that are courageous enough to take the ball and play without any fear in that sense, that’s what we sort of want from everybody,” said Bonner.
“As a team this year, we’ve shown an ability to improve in that sense. This is a step up in terms of quality of opposition and atmosphere, but in the end you just want to see that same process going through.
“Players like Wes can really help that because they’ve been there, done it, and thrive off those big occasions and we hope that can be the case again this weekend.”
United are still without longer-term absentees Greg Taylor, Shilow Tracey and Lloyd Jones, but are currently clear of Covid cases in the camp.
“Twenty-four hours is a long time at the minute, so we’re OK right now,” said Bonner.
“We’ve got people back on the grass, if we can get on there this morning [Thursday] as it’s frozen.
“Other than the fact that people have missed a few sessions, which made the performance probably even more remarkable against Portsmouth what the players were able to give, we’ve had to try to patch a few up since then because there were a few tired bodies.”
He added: “We’re a little bit light on numbers in the overall sense that you can have a 21-man squad in the FA Cup, but we certainly won’t have one.
“We will do the best we can with what we’ve got. We will go and give the best account of ourselves as we always do. And, as I’ve said a number of times, I think it’s a game to relish and go and enjoy.”
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