Cambridge United make the short journey up the A14 to Irthlingborough to play Rushden & Diamonds, looking to build on Saturday's win at Droylsden and secure further points towards a play-off place.

Despite our recent away form - the win at Droylsden followed three consecutive away defeats - the bookies have United as slight favourites at 13/10, with Rushden 13/8 and the draw at 12/5, and as usual there is a wide range of other match odds offering great value. Click here for all the match odds.

Team News

Defender Mark Albrighton is likely to go straight back into the team after serving a two-match ban because both Josh Coulson and Mark Peters are both rated extremely doubtful for tonight's match.

Coulson injured his back in training yesterday, while Peters called in ill this morning and is also unlikely to be involved. With defender Peters also being the usual cover for goalkeeper Danny Potter, youth team goalkeeper Phil Smith will be included among the substitutes tonight.

"With Mark ill we haven't really got anyone else as cover for Danny so young Phil Smith will be on the bench tonight, and we'll have to see whether Josh will be on the bench tonight - he's having treatment now," reported Quinn.

Dan Gleeson will miss his third game due to a thigh strain but he could be fit for selection for Saturday's match, but his absence means United will probably continue with the same 4-4-2 system as at Droylsden.

Long-time absentees Dan Chillingworth, Darren Quinton and Michael Hyem are still ruled out, and striker Lee McEvilly is at Lilleshall this week for further treatment and rehabilitation of his ankle injury.

The Opposition

Rushden are currently 16th on 49 points and they have won three of their last six homes games and they are unbeaten in their last four games at home, while United recorded an overdue away win at Droylsden on Saturday to end a run of three away defeats.

Our last league visit to Nene Park in January 2007 saw the home side record a comfortable 3-1 win, the U's goal scored by Michael Morrison in the last minute, and in October we played there in the Setanta Shield and quietly exited the competition after never really getting going and losing 1-0.

The home side have Michael Corcoran and Conal Platt available again after they were cup-tied for last week's Setanta Shield final defeat at Aldershot.

"They've had an up and down season," commented Quinn. "They're a team that are capable of getting results but it's up to us to go there and get a result and that will set us up nicely for Saturday at home.

"We'll go there looking to try to keep a clean sheet and at this level you're always going to get one or two chances so if we can work hard to keep a clean sheet that will go a long way towards getting the points we need."

More Information

Learn lots more about Rushden in Doug Shulman's "The Other Side" preview, you can find directions and ticket and away travel information here, and if you fancy a bet on our match or any other event this week please follow this link to visit our official betting partners bet365 - the only place where your online betting makes money for the U's.

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