Cambridge United v Bolton Wanderers: U’s looking to build upon battling draws with Barnsley and Northampton Town

Cambridge United head coach Garry Monk has spoken of the ‘determination and motivation’ that his side has to pick up a positive result during tonight’s home League One encounter against Bolton Wanderers.

After their derby humiliation at Peterborough United earlier this month, the U’s have responded with a pair of battling performances to record draws in clashes with Barnsley and Northampton Town.

And Monk is eager to see a similar display for this evening’s visit of promotion-chasing Wanderers, who are ninth and one of five teams all the way up to fifth with 26 points. Cambridge, in contrast, are down in 22nd with a four-point gap to safety.

“It’s another strong team and a team that will undoubtedly be pushing for promotion this season,” said Monk.

“They’ve got a strong squad, an experienced squad that has been together for quite a while now. They’ve always been there or thereabouts and they were unfortunate last season (to lose in the play-offs).

“Like any team like that, this league can do that – it can trip you up at times.

“It’s a tough game for us but one that we’re looking forward to. We’re trying to keep gathering points and add them to our tally.

“There’s a lot of determination and motivation to do well against this type of team.”

One player that will not feature for United tonight is Dan Nlundulu, who is on loan from Bolton.

The forward has become a regular fixture in the starting line-up since his arrival in August and has featured from the beginning of each of United’s last 10 league matches.

Monk added: “He’s done great and like a lot of the players we’ve had to manage them as best we can.

“It’s probably the most consecutive football that Dan has played in a long time – that’s great.

“We can all see the attributes he brings and the more he plays the sharper, fitter and more confident he’ll be.

“Since he’s come in he’s worked really well with the group and contributed in the games.

“Hopefully we can add more to the goal tallies for all of the strikers, but we’re happy to have him here.”