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Cambridge United sporting director Ben Strang reveals central midfield is major January transfer window focus




Sporting director Ben Strang has revealed that while he is not expecting a ‘hugely busy’ January transfer window at Cambridge United, work is ongoing to bolster head coach Garry Monk’s midfield options.

With summer signing Gary Gardner yet to make his debut due to injury and Paul Digby currently sidelined by a calf problem, the U’s are short in the centre of the pitch. The lack of alternatives in that area was laid bare on Friday night in the 4-0 defeat to Huddersfield Town when wide player James Brophy filled in alongside Jordan Cousins to cover the suspended Korey Smith, while centre-back Zeno Ibsen Rossi has also played in that position this season.

“We probably are crying out for a central midfielder. I think everyone can see that and fans will be able to see that,” Strang told the club’s YouTube channel.

Cambridge United sporting director Ben Strang. Picture: Ben Phillips
Cambridge United sporting director Ben Strang. Picture: Ben Phillips

“At the moment that’s the area we look most short so I think there will be definitely be an intention to add in that area.”

However, Strang does not anticipate too many more additions next month.

With the likes of Shayne Lavery, Dan Barton and Josh Stokes having returned from lengthy injury lay-offs in recent weeks, Strang is confident that the squad is competitive enough to survive in League One.

Speaking ahead of the Huddersfield loss, he added: “I don’t think it will be a hugely busy one for us. Recently that last run of 10 games, which is probably enough of a stretch to give a fair gauge of where the team is at, I think you can see there is a competitive level when we’ve got everyone fit.

“Injuries naturally are important to that and obviously we’ve been unfortunate in a couple of scenarios.

“It’s been really helpful in the last few weeks to Shayne back and to see Dan Barton back on the bench and Josh Stokes back in the group.

“We’re a team that will need to try to keep players fit and have maximum player availability, and if we can manage to get that I think we’ve got a squad that can be competitive in the league and achieve what we’re trying to do this year.”

In terms of outgoings, Strang hinted that some of the players currently on loan at the Abbey could return to their respective parent clubs.

While the likes of Vicente Reyes and Dan Nlundulu have been key contributors on a weekly basis, Taylor Richards has struggled for fitness and Connor O’Riordan has fallen out of favour after initially being part of the starting line-up.

“In any situation with a loan player there’s always three parties – player, club and parent club,” said Strang.

“We’re in constant dialogue with those parent clubs and they’ll either be content and satisfied or dissatisfied with the playing contributions that players have made – and players likewise.

“Generally speaking the players that are contributing big minutes, there is a reason why they’re here on loan. That’s to either establish significant game time in League One for their career development or it’s for potential asset value at parent clubs.

“The players that are playing regular minutes, naturally their parent clubs are always happier. The ones that aren’t, it’s always a more difficult conversation.

“We’re in touch with all of their clubs and I’d like to think that all of the players that we would like to keep during the window, that will happen.”



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