Cambridge United midfielder Korey Smith ‘unlikely’ to return from knee injury before end of League One season

Head coach Neil Harris has conceded that Korey Smith is ‘unlikely’ to feature again for Cambridge United this season.

After arriving in the summer on a free transfer from Derby County, the experienced midfielder went on to start 23 of United’s first 24 fixtures in League One this season.

However, he suffered a knee injury in the build-up to the trip to Bolton Wanderers in mid-January and has been sidelined ever since.

Harris had hoped that the 34-year-old would be back in training at some point this week, but the problem has not healed as quickly as originally hoped.

He said: “I was hoping he was going to be back in training this week but it’s not materialised. It seems to have been taking a little bit slower than I would have liked.

“I know Korey’s frustrated as well. I’m not going to rule Korey in or out this season and put him under timeframes, but it’s not gone as quickly as we’d hoped and he’s still got some discomfort.

“We’re getting to the stage now with limited games to go and we’re in April, I’d say it’s more unlikely that we’re going to see him this season.”

The former Bristol City and Norwich City player is contracted to the U’s until the summer of 2026.

Meanwhile, in more positive news, left-back Danny Andrew has returned to training this week with a view to potentially returning to action over the Easter weekend.

The 34-year-old has missed Cambridge’s last 11 matches with a calf injury,.