Cambridge United head coach Neil Harris concedes ‘league is priority’ ahead of FA Cup tie at Blackburn Rovers

Cambridge United head coach Neil Harris has conceded that his side’s league fortunes are of more importance to him than the Emirates FA Cup.

The U’s travel to Sky Bet Championship side Blackburn Rovers in the third round of the world’s oldest cup competition on Saturday (January 6).

But after a 2-0 loss to Leyton Orient on New Year’s Day left the U’s four points above the Sky Bet League One relegation zone, Harris has admitted that while he is eager to cause an upset at Ewood Park, his chief focus is on ensuring that the club will be playing third tier football again next season.

“We focus now on Blackburn, which is a reward for the football club,” he said.

“We’ve won two FA Cup games and it financially helps to win games like that.

“It also gives the lads and the football club an opportunity to go to Ewood Park and enjoy the occasion.

“Of course we want to be competitive and win the game, but the priority will be the league and amassing those points. Our fans know and understand that.

“We’ve dropped a couple of places but we’re only two or three points off 12th.

“It’s really, really tight and we know we’ve got Fleetwood (in the league) – that’s the biggest game of the season for us because it’s the next league game.

“In the meantime we’ll go and enjoy the FA Cup.”

Elias Kachunga will miss the trip to Lancashire but he is closing in on a return from a hamstring injury, while George Thomas is a doubt after limping off early in the second half against Orient.

Young forward Brandon Njoku, who made his senior debut on Monday, is cup tied from his loan stint at St Ives Town.