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Challinor set for U's return

Cambridge United could be boosted by the timely return of Jon Challinor for Saturday's match against Altrincham.

U's manager Gary Brabin is expecting Challinor to be back at training today and is hoping that the midfielder will be in contention for Saturday's team selection.

Challinor has been sidelined recently after he found himself on the wrong side of a horrific tackle from Sam Rents when the U's clashed with Crawley at the weekend. Rents was subsequently sent off and Challinor was left with a badly bruised shin and an over-extended knee.

"We'll know a bit more later this morning, but Greg (Reid, physio) has been working hard with Jon over the last few days," Brabin told Cambridge-News.

"It's nowhere near as bad as we first thought, so hopefully he could be back in the squad on Saturday."

But, every silver lining has its cloud and news of influential defender Dan Gleeson's fitness has put a dampener of Brabin's preparations for Saturday's fixture.

Gleeson picked up a hamstring injury during Cambridge's 1-0 victory over York City on Tuesday evening and looks set to miss out on this weekend's action.

"At the moment we're worried about Dan Gleeson and we're going to have to monitor him," coach Brabin added.

"We're going to see how he is over the next day or two, but he'll be a big loss because he has probably found his best form this season.

"I'm not surprised he has been playing for the England C team because he has been brilliant for us."

Gleeson has played a huge part in the U's spartan-like defence this season, with the team conceding less than a goal game.

"We've been rock solid at the back and I don't think we've conceded a goal at home since the Torquay game.

"We're unbeaten in our last eight league games, so we're hanging in there, and I'm pleased with the way things are going and the football we're producing at the moment," Brabin concluded.