Cambridge 'will be different animal next season'

Neil Harris is in his second spell as Cambridge United boss

Head coach Neil Harris has vowed that Cambridge United will be a "completely different animal" next season irrespective of which division they are playing in.

The U's will be relegated if Bristol Rovers win their League One lunchtime (12:30 BST) kick-off against Reading on Saturday.

Should Rovers do no better than draw, then Cambridge can extend their relegation fight to the final day of the season if they beat Burton Albion.

"The team's going to change, and the mindset of conceding cheap goals, not scoring enough goals and also probably having a soft underbelly," Harris told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

"Ultimately, we have to be fitter as a group because a lot of the goals we have conceded have been after 67 minutes.

"We are going to be a completely different animal next year. We're not going to think too much about what we look like now compared to next year."

Harris returned to the club in February following the sacking of Garry Monk.

But although there have been several encouraging performances, they have only won four of his 13 games in charge, losing six.

The game against Burton will see him equal the 14 matches he oversaw during his first spell as boss before leaving for Millwall.

And he said that although the Bristol Rovers kick-off time was out of their hands, there was no point dwelling on it.

"We can only play the cards that we're dealt. Bristol Rovers kick-off at half-12 and we kick-off at three o'clock, it's the same for Burton, the same for Crawley," Harris continued.

"We just have to get on with it. Obviously it's not ideal for us, and probably not ideal for Burton either, but it is what it is. It could be a very awkward situation, come half past two, for us to have to deal with, but we can't control or affect that.

"All we can affect is preparing for the game diligently, making sure we're as prepared as possible, which we will be and it's another opportunity for me to learn about the players and for us to try and win a game of football."

Harris does not expect on-loan Dan Nlundulu to be fit to face the Brewers but he could return for their final game of the campaign at home to champions Birmingham City.

"He's going to go back to his parent club, Bolton, in really good shape, which is important for him. He might have a chance of Birmingham, if required," he added.