Cambridge United boss Mark Bonner unsure what to expect from Joey Barton's Bristol Rovers

Cambridge United head coach Mark Bonner has conceded there are a lot of unknowns heading into Saturday afternoon’s Sky Bet League One clash at Bristol Rovers.

Bonner’s opposite number Joey Barton has been particularly fluid this season, both in terms of his starting line-ups and tactical approach.

Indeed, the former Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers midfielder has used 24 players this term – only five clubs in the division have selected more. In contrast, the U’s have fielded a joint league low of just 19.

It means that Bonner and his squad will make the journey down to the south west not quite knowing what to expect from their hosts, who are fourth from bottom after picking up two wins from 11 outings since being promoted from League Two.

“The truth is it could be anything really. We’ve seen them change shape quite a lot,” he said.

“They’ve got players that have played in a lot of positions, the back three has changed a lot, they’ve played a three and a four (in defence).

“They’ve played with midfielders in wing-back positions, they’ve played with a front two and a front three. And they’ve played three in midfield with a deep player and an attacking player – they’ve changed all the time.

“They were fairly direct against Exeter last week, but they’ve got a real counter-attack threat and pace in behind with (Ryan) Loft and (Aaron) Collins and a target to play into with (John) Marquis.

“I think at their core they want to play, they want to build, they want to dominate possession, but with injuries and changes they’ve made recently it’s flip flopped between styles.

“We can’t get too obsessed by them because we don’t really know what’s coming. What we’ve got to do is get ourselves ready to be the best version of us and show a flexibility on the day to adjust to whatever they do.

“It will be a tough game but one we have got to try and grab by the scruff of the neck.”

Joe Ironside (dead leg), Harrison Dunk (knee) and Shilow Tracey (illness) all missed United’s 3-0 defeat at Ipswich Town on Tuesday night, but the trio were expected to feature in training today.

Summer signing Brandon Haunstrup is still likely to be a couple of weeks away with a calf injury, while Jack Lankester took a knock at Portman Road and could be absent at the weekend.

Bonner added: “Shilow is back in today so we will see how he is. Joey and Harrison will train this morning so we’ll see how they are. There is no guarantee on any of those

“Brandon is out and Jack Lankester took an unnecessary and naughty tackle right at the end of the game (on Tuesday) and he’s really struggling so he might be out. Everyone else I think came through the game ok.

“We’ll need to check on a couple that haven’t played for a while, just to check they’re ok, but between now and tomorrow we’ll get more of an idea where we are.

“I’m sure whatever team we put on the pitch we can go and give them some problems – that’s our aim.”

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