Liam O’Neil hands Cambridge boost ahead of Bradford clash

Posted Thursday, February 13, 2020 by PA

Interim Cambridge manager Mark Bonner is hopeful that midfielder Liam O’Neil will be fit for Saturday’s Sky Bet League Two clash with Bradford.

The defensive midfielder left the pitch injured during the U’s 2-0 defeat of Scunthorpe on Tuesday but is expected to feature at the weekend.

The return to fitness of Harry Darling creates competition with fellow centre-back George Taft, who replaced the previously injured Darling at Glanford Park.

Jack Roles has resumed training after a back injury but is not expected to play, while Luke Hannant faces six weeks out with an ankle injury and Jabo Ibehre (knee) and Sam Smith (glandular fever) are likely to be sidelined.

Bradford boss Stuart McCall will again be forced to omit Kelvin Mellor as the defender continues to recover from a hamstring injury.

Zeli Ismail is closing in on a return after recovering from a calf issue, however, and could feature.

Dylan Mottley-Henry started for the first time as the Bantams defeated Stevenage 3-1 on Saturday, with Kurtis Guthrie also making his full debut.

Both could feature again at the Abbey Stadium, with new signing Glen Middleton also awaiting his club debut after joining on loan from Rangers on February 1.