With four goals in the last two matches striker Lee Boylan has marked his return to the starting line-up in emphatic fashion.

Sidelined for the middle part of the season with an ankle and then a hamstring injury, Boylan then had to bide his time on the bench as Scott Rendell and Lee McEvilly struck up a partnership during January, but Rendell's departure to Peterborough three weeks ago paved the way for Lee's return and, boy, hasn't he made it count?

A brace at the Abbey against York on Saturday was followed with another two at Oxford on Tuesday night and the little striker has now hit double figures in all competitions (eight in the league and three in the cups) and staked a firm claim for a starting place.

Team-mate Courtney Pitt said after Tuesday's win, "Lee's been working really hard in training, especially on his finishing, and I think you saw the results tonight. All the boys are buzzing that he's back in the team and scoring goals."

Assistant manager Willy Wordsworth agreed, and praised Boylan for his 'hunger' to get back into the team.

"Fair play to him because he's been in the office a couple of times asking why he hasn't been playing, then obviously he picked up that injury and things weren't working out too well for him, but he's worked hard and come in and proved a point," he said.

"He's scored four fantastic goals too and he's taken them really well. He's a confidence player; I've known him since his Canvey Island days when I was at Hayes and he thrives on confidence, and now he's got all his confidence back there's no stopping him at the moment - he's flying again."

Wordsworth stressed that he is pleased with the 'hunger' of players to be in the side and the way they react when they are left out: "If they're professionals, which we are at this club, that's how it's got to be, otherwise they're in their little comfort zones and that's no good to the Gaffer and me.

"You want players knocking on your door, it means they're hungry and they all do it here, but that also goes with doing well and being up at the top of the league. I don't know if they'd be knocking on the door if we were second from bottom, but they all want to play and it's nice to see that they're all hungry to play, and that's how it's been with Lee."

Make Your Click Count For The U's - talk about it on the Message Board!

You are respectfully reminded that any article, as with all content on this website, unless otherwise stated, is subject to copyright © and the Official Cambridge United Website must be acknowledged as the original source including all quotes.

AT080306