Martin Ling has called on his players to give the fans a performance to remember in tomorrow's derby with Histon.

United go into the match on the back of a five-game unbeaten run, but the visitors have also found some good recently, picking up a win and a draw in their last two games.

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As well as long term absentees Robbie Willmott and Danny Potter, centre half Dave Partridge will again miss out with a thigh problem. Dan Gleeson is back in the reckoning after a virus, but may have to settle for a place on the bench with the defence having kept two clean sheets in his absence.

The only other doubt surrounds striker Callum Willock, who took a knock on his ankle in Tuesday's win at Kettering. But Ling was hopeful he would be fit for the clash with the Stutes.

"Callum didn't train on Thursday, but we think given 24 hours rest he'll be available, so we'll have to wait and see on that one," said Ling.

Willock (below) is currently on non-contract terms at the Abbey, but Ling said it was too early to be talking about whether or not he would earn a contract for next season.

Ling said: "So far Callum Willock has done what's it says on his tin if you like. He gives us a physical threat and some pace up front, and he upsets defenders.

"He's done that in his appearances to date and given us a springboard to work from. There are still 12 important games to go but he's done well so far."

On experienced defender Partridge, he explained: "It would be a risk with Dave and with the defence doing well recently there doesn't seem a reason to take a risk. He'll possibly be back for Tuesday or the following Saturday, but when things are going well in defence there's no point pushing him back too quickly."

Ling has a decision to make at right back, with fit again Gleeson competing for a place with new man Kevin Roberts.

"Kevin has come in and done a good job. We've kept two clean sheets and gained six points, so I've got a decision to make," the manager said. "I have to decide whether to bring in Gleeson, who is usually one of our first picks, or stick with the people in the team who are playing with confidence.

"It's an interesting one, and I think the big thing for us is it shows the strength in depth we've got. Sam Ives was left out of the 16 on Tuesday for the first time in a long while, so we've got a lot of good players competing for places."

The Opposition

Histon are seven points clear of United in 13^th place, and Ling said: "It's a big game for us. They're some way above us in the league after the Chester points were deducted, but if we beat them on Saturday we'll be four behind with a game in hand.

"They'll be a good atmosphere at the Abbey and no doubt there will be some tackles flying about. We'll have to see if their contract rebels come back, I know one of the seven played on Tuesday, and it seems if you sign a contract you play.

"But we'll be prepared and ready for whatever team they chose to put out," he added.

On the strange scenario at the Glassworld, which has seen several first team regulars frozen out in a dispute over new contracts, the former Leyton Orient boss commented: "I wouldn't do that, I don't understand it, and I don't want to get involved in it too much.

"It's unjust in my view, and makes no financial sense - they're still paying them but not playing them - but that's the stance they've chosen to take. I don't get the thinking but that's their decision."

He continued: "They might turn round and say all five or six have signed contracts and are playing, but they've had good results without their main players in and got a bit of form, so it hasn't damaged them that much.

"But when you're leaving that many players out it can only help the team you're playing against," he said.

Ling expects the visitors to employ more of a passing game than they have in previous encounters between the sides: "Histon are less direct now than they were previously, and they try to pass a bit, and we certainly feel more comfortable playing that way.

"But if they look to go from back to front quickly we'll have to combat that too," he said.

Ling is familiar with derby matches from his time as boss at Orient. He said: "It was always awkward to know who your derby was - Southend or Millwall were seen as the enemy although there was no out and out rival. And when we played them, or the other London clubs, we always did ok."

Looking Ahead

United are now unbeaten in their last five, and Ling believes falling into the relegation zone two weeks ago was a wake up call for his squad.

"We were never 'officially' in bottom three because the Chester points hadn't gone at that point, but we knew as a squad and as a club that we were below the line and needed to respond. And I think you've seen that it's been a positive reaction from everyone," he said.

"The players knew all about the table, they pick up non-league press and the position without Chester had been in there for two weeks, and it doesn't matter how many games in hand you have, being in that zone is scary, so that reality check has probably had something to do with out improvement."

Referring to the recent wins at Barrow and Kettering, he said: "The two games have not been classics. We've put in workmanlike performances, been dogged in defence, and taken our chances when they've come along.

"In other games teams have had 15 minute periods against us and scored, whereas that scenario has maybe been in our favour during the last couple of games."

The manager pinpointed Simon Brown's late save from Simon Clist in the Oxford match as a potential turning point for United's season as a whole.

"We looked at the video and it's actually a good finish by their lad, but Simon's saved the shot with his face and you come away from the game in a positive mood, as we did against Wimbledon. We had to follow that up by getting wins, which we have, and now it's five games unbeaten and nine points on the board.

"There's a positive vibe around the place now, and it sometimes takes an incident like that to turn the season. Football as a whole is like that and that's why we enjoy watching it so much."

Closing with a word for the young fans who will be filling the South Stand tomorrow as part of a Junior U's initiative sponsored by Cambridge Building Society, Ling said he hopes the team will give the children a reason to return.

"It's a really good initiative and it will be great to see the South Stand full of youngsters," he said.

"It' the way forward for the club; we've got to get them through the door and keep them interested by giving them a nice winning scenario so they pester their parents to come back.

"If we can hold on to 10 per cent of them then we're doing our job ok," he concluded.