Uche Ikpeazu set for extended Cambridge United absence

U’s striker suffers injury blow

Cambridge United have suffered a setback with the news that Uche Ikpeazu will be ruled out for the next two months through injury.

The 21-year-old striker suffered a hamstring problem in the last 10 minutes of the 1-1 draw with Yeovil Town, but it had been hoped that it would only be a short-term lay-off.

However, U's boss Shaun Derry has revealed that Ikpeazu is facing a long spell on the sidelines.

"Sadly, the only thing this week has done for Uche is make his injury more long-term than we thought it was,said Derry.

"We thought he'd only be out for 10 days, but the fact of the matter is Uche is now going to be missing for eight weeks, which I think if you were to talk about our season and the impact certain players' injuries have made on our season so far, it's staggering."

The U's have had a particularly unlucky time with injuries this season, with a number of players facing long periods out of action, and Derry is keen to address the issue.

"Only this morning I've held a staff meeting because it's concerning and it's concerned us all, not just for me as the manager, but my (coaching) staff, the performance staff and the physiotherapy staff as well,said Derry.

"This is something that we've got to look into. For me in particular, this is a big blow.

"The good thing about the staff that I've got here is we're very meticulous and thorough, and when we hold these inquiries, not just into the injury side of the football club, but every angle of sports science and performance, we're very honest with each other.

"We can trust each other at Cambridge United that everybody will be doing everything they possibly can with all the qualities people have got here that if there's a formula, a trend or something that is causing these injuries we can try to find it very quickly.

"We know how tough the league is anyway, 46 league games and a number of cup competitions that we've been involved in, we know that you need a squad that is flexible and durable to last the test of time - I know we've got them."

But there is a glimmer of light as both Medy Elito and Greg Taylor are back on the training ground.

"Whenever there's a loss, there's always another door that opens and the good thing for us is that we're now starting to get the likes of Medy and Greg back closer to the group,said Derry.

"It would be nice if the whole of the squad would be available but how many managers are going to be saying that at this stage of the season?"