Frustrated Harris 'won't accept' Cambridge injuries

Michael Morrison is in his second spell with Cambridge after rejoining from Portsmouth in January 2023

Cambridge United boss Neil Harris says "no stone will be left unturned" to get to the bottom of why the club are experiencing so many injury problems.

Captain Michael Morrison had to go off in the 35th minute of Saturday's 2-1 home win over Crewe Alexandra with a hamstring problem.

He could be facing an extended spell on the sidelines, having missed five games earlier in the campaign after suffering a bruised lung during a game in August.

The U's also lost forward Louis Appere at half-time against Crewe with a quad muscle strain - he was previously out from mid-September until 5 November with a hamstring injury.

"It's a couple of soft-tissue injuries, I won't accept it. Players have to take responsibility sometimes, staff have to take responsibility sometimes, we have to be accountable as a football club for it. No stone will be left unturned as to why we've had a few more soft tissues," Harris told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

Cambridge are away to Bristol Rovers in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday before travelling to Stockport County on Saturday for an FA Cup second-round tie.

And Harris has called on his injured players to do everything possible to get themselves fit again with a total of seven games to be played this month.

"The important thing now is people stepping up. People that are out injured that we need back have to drive a bit quicker, need to push themselves a bit faster, not waiting to be told when they can do it, push, do it themselves like senior players would do," he said.

Cambridge are currently looking to recruit a lead physical performance coach for the first team.

The club say the successful candidate will collaborate "closely with coaching and medical staff to integrate physical principles into the football programme, manage training load, support return-to-play processes, and maintain high-performance standards within an elite environment".

George Hoddle, a second cousin of former Chelsea, Tottenham and England manager Glenn, made his first league start for the U's against Crewe following a loan spell at non-league Bedford Town earlier in the season.

"I thought he was excellent - the amount of interceptions he made, the amount of contacts in and around our own box - because his timing and decision-making were outstanding, way beyond his years," said Harris.

"George is the same as Ben (Knight), they're really good players and have got a really bright future under me at this football club.

"I'll make sure they're in and out at the right times and there's not too much expectation on their shoulders."