Sean Long back in contention for Cambridge United ahead of Crewe Alexandra match

Shaun Derry gives U's injury update

Sean Long should return to the Cambridge United fold for their home clash with Crewe Alexandra on Saturday (December 17).

The right-back was ruled out of the 5-0 win at Hartlepool United last weekend after sustaining an injury in the Checkatrade Trophy defeat at Bradford.

But striker Joe Pigott may face a bit longer on the absentee list as he recovers from injury.

“Both will be available for the game, but probably more so Sean than Joe,” said United manager Shaun Derry.

“For Sean, in particular, he will probably come straight back into the group which is not going to change too much from what he has been the last five or six games.

“Joe’s on the back of an illness that is lingering a little bit longer than he and we would have hoped.

“We have a rule here that anybody that gets ill stays at home and doesn’t come back until they’re fit and well because we can’t even open the doors to people who are not feeling 100 per cent right.

“That’s what’s happened with Joe, we’ve sent him home and he has done his work at home which is so important for us. We have a really busy Christmas period coming up so we need everybody to be right on top.”

Barry Corr, Josh Coulson, Medy Elito and Adam McGurk remain sidelined through injury, but Elliot Omozusi is back in training after recovering from the broken ankle he suffered in the summer.

However, the U’s boss feels that it may be best for the defender to head out on loan in order to get his match fitness.

“Elliot’s had a struggle. He’s had a tough season so far having got himself injured after four days of pre-season,” said Derry.

“To miss the whole of the pre-season and then the opening period of the new season has been a disaster for him.

“You look at Elliot now and he’s back out there on the training field and he is still, in my opinion, playing catch up.

“But he is playing catch up in a way where he has to go and play. He’s got to get his games to take him into that next period of getting himself fit.

“He’s now at that stage where he is available to go and play. It’s going to be difficult for Elliot, at this moment in time, to pull on a shirt for us because of the levels that our group are playing at.

“So I’m pleased he’s back, I’m pleased for him as nobody wants to see injured players and as a player yourself you don’t want to be missing out.”