Cambridge United play their visit Salisbury City on Saturday in our penultimate scheduled away game of the season.

We're rated at 5/4 to grab three points towards a play-off place, with Salisbury at 7/4 for the win and the draw at 12/5. But if you don't fancy those odds there's a host of other betting opportunities on offer, including First Goalscorer and Scorecast. Click here for all the match odds.

Team News

Captain Danny Brown returned to training yesterday after a week's treatment on the shoulder injury he suffered during the win at Rushden & Diamonds, but his shoulder is protected by strapping and he will have a late fitness test before a decision is made about his inclusion in the squad.

His potential absence is magnified by the fact that fellow midfielder Paul Carden is suspended for the next two games after accruing ten bookings, leaving Stephen Reed or Dan Gleeson as the men most likely to fill that midfield holding role if Brown is unable to play.

"Danny has to be 100% - he can't go into an important game like Saturday at just 80%," stressed Jimmy Quinn. "We need him to be spot on so we'll have a look at him and he's honest, he'll tell me whether or not he feels OK to play.

"He's wholehearted and if you stop him making tackles and take that aggression and will to win away from him you'll only have half a player. He's an important player for us when he's fit and he's a vital member of the squad at the moment.

"If he doesn't play, I played Dan Gleeson in there against Ebbsfleet and he had a terrific game. He quite likes playing there and Stephen Reed likes playing in the middle as well so I've got a few options if Danny's not fit.

"Obviously Paul Carden is a big player for us and overall he's been probably our most consistent player since he's been here and we'll miss him. He gives you that grit and determination and know-how for this level, but I'm sure that the players who come in will do a good job."

Long-time absentees Dan Chillingworth (ankle), Darren Quinton (knee) and Michael Hyem (knee) are ruled out for the rest of the season, but striker Lee McEvilly (ankle) is back in light training and may play some part in one of the matches next week.

The Opposition

Salisbury were promoted from the Conference South last season and have adapted well, securing a comfortable mid-table position in their first season in the Blue Square Premier. Currently in 11th place with 64 points, they are unbeaten in their previous eleven home games and have taken four wins and two draws from the last six games at The Raymond McEnhill Stadium.

Having seen his side take an early lead through Ben Farrell but then lose at home to bottom club Stafford Rangers last weekend, Quinn is looking for his players to bounce back.

"I've had a good response from the players in training this week and we have to put Saturday behind us and be positive at Salisbury. It's a tough place to go but let's go and get three points - that's what I'm looking at. We've had some terrific results away from home and taken points off Exeter, Stevenage, Torquay, Aldershot, Burton Albion, Rushden & Diamonds, so let's go and do it again."

But he added, "We need maximum effort and we need people to focus on their jobs, which we didn't have last week, but we'll put that behind us and look forward to going down there and getting a great result. If we can sneak a win - and one-nil will do us - let's bounce back and show some character. I'm sure we'll have a big following down there again so let's go and finish the job.

"We've been in the top five all season and we've got to focus on staying there and getting into these play-offs."

Like United, Salisbury were defeated by a struggling side last weekend when they lost 3-1 at Altrincham and the U's manager wants his men to stop the home side from mounting a revival of their own.

"They'll be looking to bounce back and they're at home with a responsibility to the home fans to get a good result as well, so we need to keep them quiet and make sure we work hard to stop them playing, and that will hopefully keep the home fans quiet and that will have an effect on the team.

"That's what we've done in many places this season and we need to do that again on Saturday. We need the points to stay in the play-off positions so let's try and get a win. We have three cup finals and if we get into the play-offs it becomes very exciting for everybody.

"I want the players to be slightly nervous because I think we went out too relaxed last week, thinking that we'd win the game without putting the hard work in, there's been a reality check and I'm quite sure the players will bounce back this week."

More Information

Learn more about Salisbury City in Doug Shulman's "The Other Side" preview, you can find admission 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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