Cambridge United managing captain Greg Taylor's return from long-term ankle injury carefully

Assistant head coach Gary Waddock has revealed that Cambridge United are having to manage captain Greg Taylor's workload carefully as he works his way back to full fitness.

The centre-back suffered a serious ankle injury on August 17 last year which abruptly ended his 2021/22 campaign after just four appearances.

After stepping up his recovery over the summer Taylor has gone on to make a further four outings so far this term, although just one of those have been from the start in a Sky Bet League One fixture.

Nevertheless, Waddock has stressed that while the 32-year-old remains a key member of the squad, the coaching staff have no intention of rushing him back into action after such a long lay-off.

“He was out for a long time so you have to be able to manage the injury he had,” said Waddock. "He’s been in and around the group and he'll be training with the group today (Thursday).

“He’s a big presence within the squad, he’s the captain of the club as well. The more often we can get him out on the grass the better it will be for the group and for the club. He’s a good leader of players and stuff like that.

“Greg would have liked to have played more game time I'm sure but we have to manage him because of the injury he had, but he’s still an important player for us.

“Players who have had long term injuries want to play every game when they’re back and train every minute of the day but you have to manage them and take it easy on the way back. It’s looking at the bigger picture and not just today.”

Former England C international Taylor has made 350 appearances for United since arriving from Luton Town in the summer of 2013.

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