Courtney Pitt will remain on the transfer list but he will be given a chance to prove to new manager Martin Ling that he should stay at Cambridge United.

United's longest-serving player - he joined in September 2006 - Pitt and midfielder Jon Challinor were put on the transfer list during the summer as part of the process of cutting the playing budget, but Ling feels the squad is lacking depth on the wings.

Speaking about the two players, Ling said, "I feel that their money could be used, but in terms of positions I feel Pitt is more important than Challinor because in wide areas we've only got two seniors, so I feel Courtney is more use to me than Challinor.

"That's no reflection of Challinor as a person or a player, because I don't really know him as either, but the central midfield position is looking OK and the cover in there with the two younger boys is OK as well."

The other wide players in the squad are Andy Parkinson, Robbie Willmott and first year pro Jordan Patrick, who are all predominantly right-sided players, and Ling feels there could still be a place for Courtney.

"They stay on the transfer list - I've only been here a couple of days and nothing will happen instantly - but for me, looking at the squad positionally, there is still the need for a wide position more than we need a central midfield position. That's nothing to do with the players as individuals, but one of those positions has got to change and one hasn't," he said.

"Whether it's to start or to come on as a sub, I just feel Courtney can have an effect on games and it's a chance for him to show me what he's all about.

"He's done that so far, and Challinor's done that too in terms of training, but he won't be involved in games. Everybody knows his details have been circulated but since I've been in on Tuesday I'm waiting for the phone to ring about him."

United are in action tomorrow at St. Ives Town (3pm).

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