Cambridge United head coach Garry Monk keen for Liam Bennett to remain at the club amid speculation about his future

If Garry Monk had his way, Liam Bennett would remain part of the Cambridge United squad for the rest of the season and beyond.

However, the head coach has conceded that the popular full-back’s future is a matter for the player himself and the club.

Bennett, who was voted the Fans’ Player of the Season last term, has entered into the final 12 months of his deal at the Cledara Abbey Stadium.

It means that were the 22-year-old not to reach an agreement over an extension to his current contract, next summer he would be free to leave without the requirement of a transfer fee – although the U’s may be due compensation.

And that has resulted in speculation that the club – with just eight days left of the summer transfer window – may have to consider cashing in on one of their prized assets.

Asked for his take on the situation, Monk said: “We can’t afford to lose any players but those types of things are between Liam and the club. Negotiating contracts and whether players want to sign contracts or not – I don’t really get involved with that.

“I love Liam, I enjoy working with him and I’m only focused on what he’s doing (on the football side of things). Of course I want him to be here and also be here beyond this season, that would be great.

“But that’s always between the player, his representatives and the club. I just work on the football and that’s all I’m really concentrating on with Liam – he’s a fantastic lad.

“In these types of situations it can impact a player in terms of their attitude or the way they’re going about things, but with Liam there is no problems. He’d be the same whatever the situation is.

“I’m just focused on trying to improve him this season and him working with the group.

“It will come to a conclusion I’m sure and whatever that outcome will be, but we want Liam here and I think the club have made efforts to keep him here so we’ll see how that one goes moving forward.”

Bennett has started both of United’s Sky Bet League One games this term as a substitute, coming off the bench during the second half of the defeats to Stockport County and Crawley Town. He did, however, play a full 90 minutes in the 2-1 loss to Queens Park Rangers in the EFL Cup.

James Gibbons has so far been given the nod in the right wing-back role in the league, but Monk has stressed that has nothing to do with any uncertainty over Bennett’s future and more down to the opposition’s strengths.

“That’s the thing when you’re putting a group together – take those two (Bennett and Gibbons), they’ve both got different attributes,” he added.

“I felt in that Stockport game and a little bit against Crawley that the defensive side was going to be needed, so with Gibbo being that little bit more experienced in that situation, I felt that was the right one to go with.

“And then you saw against QPR, we went really offensive and Liam has big attributes there, so we’ll see (who starts) for this game against Blackpool (at the weekend).

“That’s the beauty of a squad as a coach. Every player will say they want to play every game, but I think they understand it. I’ve made it really clear with the squad that everyone is going to be needed and different moments call for different attributes.

“Both of them are top trainers. If you could bottle their attitude and their application, you’d put that into every single player you’ve ever had.”