Cambridge striker Lavery nearing return from injury

Shayne Lavery joined Cambridge after being released by Blackpool

Cambridge United manager Garry Monk will make a late decision on whether striker Shayne Lavery is fit to return in Saturday's derby with Peterborough United.

The Northern Ireland forward has not played since sustaining a hamstring injury in the 2-1 defeat at Mansfield Town on 14 September.

But Lavery is poised to rejoin a revitalised U's squad which have won their past four league and cup games in the near future.

"He's in training but it's modified training. He looks fit and well but we'll have to make the right call coming into the weekend and see where he's at," Monk told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

"He's training really well, feeling no effects from the training but it's quite a period of time he's been out so it's just a case of whether his fitness is ready for that type of intensity."

Lavery, who has won 19 caps, has played six games for Cambridge since joining in the summer, with his two goals coming in a 4-4 draw with former club Blackpool.

Forward Ryan Loft is also being assessed after recovering from the effects of a dead leg, with Monk more hopeful that he can be part of his plans against Posh.

The 27-year-old only played his first game of the season on 28 September after picking up an ankle problem in pre-season.

"He's more frustrated than anyone. He was just getting back into the rhythm of it, involved in some of the games, building his fitness and then a really unfortunate knock in the area he's got it," he said.

"You normally get dead legs on the front of your legs, and to get it in the hamstring area, it's obviously quite an acute area and you feel it much more when you're running.

"He'll be in full training on Wednesday and should be available for the weekend."