Cambridge United attacking midfielder Jack Lankester tipped to continue improving by head coach Mark Bonner
Cambridge United head coach Mark Bonner has backed Jack Lankester to build upon his impressive first Sky Bet League One start of the season last time out.
A combination of injuries and competition for places in the final third of the pitch has meant that the attacking midfielder has had to bide his time ever since he joined the U's from Ipswich Town in the summer of 2021.
However, Bonner handed Lankester his chance at Morecambe and he grabbed it with both hands by scoring the equalising goal in a 2-1 victory, as well as going on to earn the Man of the Match award, as voted for by the United fanbase.
And Bonner believes there is ‘more to come’ from the 22-year-old.
“He’s had to be patient this year because he’s in good shape, but he’s had to work his socks off to get himself fit. That’s the first thing and now he’s got to continue doing that because there’s still more to come from him," said Bonner, who confirmed yesterday that he was remaining at the club despite interest from Championship outfit Rotherham United.
“That will come in his training sessions and if he continues training as he has he’ll keep getting better and he’ll keep playing, and playing more – that will look after itself really.
“What we have seen this season when he’s played – even from the bench – he’s been a creator of chances. He’s got some assists in games and he obviously scored at the weekend. He’s a great lad and he’s really contributing to the team.
“He’s had a tough couple of years with injuries. We signed him in a position where we knew it was going to take time and I said from the very start we won’t see the best of him until his second season and we’re going to see it this year. We haven’t seen it yet, but he’s on the right path to get there.”
Bonner was speaking ahead of Saturday's home match against Derby County – a fixture he is expecting to be tough, particularly after the recent appointment of Paul Warne as the new Rams boss.
