Chairman Lee Power and interim coach Chris Turner lead Cambridge United into a crunch match at fellow strugglers Forest Green Rovers on Saturday.
Midfielder David Bridges returned to full training on Tuesday and striker Robbie Simpson returns from suspension, but Matt Bloomer has been affected by food poisoning and Mark Peters has been struggling with the after-effects of playing 90 minutes on his comeback last Friday following a foot injury.
Defender Tommy Jaszczun and midfielder Ritchie Hanlon are both suspended, while defenders Andy Duncan and Adam Davies are still on the injured list [article]
However, Lee Power, who has been working with the players all week alongside Chris Turner, commented, "We should have eighteen players available and whatever eleven we put on the pitch they will go out there and give a committed performance.
"Training has gone well," he added. "It's been difficult for the boys because of what's happened and confidence was a bit low, but we've aired some differences and it's sparked the lads.
"They've been flat out and brilliant, and as long as they can continue that then we're going to be all right. They know what we want from them. We've sat down and talked nice and gently to them and now and again we've raised our voices, and I think they understand the direction we want them to go in, and how we want them to play and I'm sure they'll put that performance in.
"Chris has helped with the formation we'll be playing and they seem to understand that, the training and the commitment has been excellent, and we just need to take that into the game. If they play how they've trained this week then we'll be all right."
Chris Turner commented, "Training has been good, I think the players have accepted it, and I've enjoyed it.
"I personally don't know much about Forest Green but football is a simple game played by simple people. Mr Power has told me lots about them and I think it's just important that the players are ready for it. The players have got to do it, not Mr Power or myself or anybody else.
"I think the Conference is a very strong league," he added, "and we would be doing well to get into the top three. It's a very competitive league with some good teams and there are always physical battles. The skill levels may be a little bit lower but to be able to play against people and to do what you want to do needs strength to compete."
Confirming that the team will line up in a 4-4-2 formation, Turner concluded, "We'll play to a system and hopefully we have a chance of winning."
More Information
Read the news from the FGR camp and details about their squad and season to date in Chris Vessey's "The Other Side" preview, you can find directions and ticket details here, and if you fancy a bet on our match or any other event this week we have all the odds at AbbeyBet, where your betting makes money for the U's.
If you can't be at the match, listen to every kick of the game courtesy of Radio Cambridgeshire and see the live stats from our game and goal flashes from around the country via the our fantastic MatchLive Console on U's World.
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