Darren Quinton is expected to return to the team at Weymouth tonight.

Team News

The midfielder missed out on Monday with a dead leg suffered during Saturday's match, but he could return to boost United's threadbare midfield, allowing Mark Albrighton to revert to his more usual defensive role. Jimmy Quinn will have to decide which of back three Michael Morrison, Gavin Hoyte or Mark Peters will make way.

The manager has been thwarted in his bid to add at least one new face to the squad before the transfer window closes tonight, with clubs reluctant to allow players to leave this early in the season.

"We had players in mind and we've made a lot of calls but it's proved very difficult and we'll move on with what we've got," commented, Quinn.

"Clubs don't want to let players go and some players don't want to drop out of the league, but the team spirit is excellent and we have some very good young players here; Michael Hyem came on on Monday and showed what he can do."

The U's boss also spoke highly of Scott Rendell, who came off the bench to head home United's stoppage time equaliser on Monday: "He could have scored a hat-trick. He had two chances that the keeper saved and then followed up on the shot by Michael Hyem off the bar, so it's nice that he's scored his first goal for the club and to have him there ready to come on and do a job.

"Because we got off to such a good start I'd be reluctant to change things, unless there are any injuries, but it's important that we have competition for places. Although Leo Fortune-West didn't have the best of games on Monday I thought he did ever so well at Woking, and although he has the shirt at the moment Scott is pressing him all the way so there's good competition for places this year."

Danny Brown has severe bruising to a foot where he was kicked during Saturday's game and he will miss out, while fellow midfielder Mark Convery and striker Dan Chillingworth are recovering from a hamstring strain and ankle operation respectively.

The Opposition

Quinn is looking for his team to make a much better start than on Monday, and admitted that he had to "raise the roof" in the dressing room at half-time.

Substitutes Michael Hyem and Scott Rendell combined to score United's goal deep in stoppage time and the manager added, "The introduction of one or two players off the bench made a difference, which is what they're there for.

"We had 16 shots on goal to Ebbsfleet's five but they work hard to break teams down and get results, and a draw keeps our run going and it was a good result. We're still on course with over two points a game and the big test now is to carry that on."

United would return to the top of the table with a win at Weymouth tonight, and Quinn commented, "That carrot is there for the players, which is different to last season at the bottom. From what I've seen of other teams so far, if we stay focused and keep the players free from injury we can beat anyone in this league.

"There are no easy games but with this squad I will be disappointed if we don't at least get a point at Weymouth, but we're going there for the win. The key will be what happens in both boxes - we only get one chance and we need to take it."

Last time we played Weymouth was on March 31st at the Abbey when United recorded a 7-0 win, and Quinn recalled, "Everything we hit went in that day and we played really well, but I think their manager might be putting that score up on the wall just to remind them what happened.

"It will put an extra bounce in their step and we need to be aware of that. They have a manager who is new to management and I'm sure he'll want to make an impact, and we will need to be on our mettle and take our chances.

"We won't win every game this season, but we'll go with the attitude that we want to win them all."

More Information

Read the news from the Weymouth camp and details about their squad and season to date in Chris Vessey's "The Other Side" preview, you can find ticket details and directions 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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