Ball managing knee issue to boost Cambridge push

Dom Ball joined Cambridge from Leyton Orient in the summer

Cambridge United midfielder Dom Ball is having to carefully manage a long-standing knee problem as they look to push into the play-off places.

The U's have won their last three home League Two games to move up to eighth in the table, just a single point away from the top seven.

Ball returned to action for the first time since 27 September in Saturday's 2-1 victory over Bromley and lasted the entire game.

"I thought it was going to be longer [I'd be out]. I've just got to manage a bit better now and I will do. Coming back in and playing the 90 minutes - and getting a win - is massive," he told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

Ball suffered a torn meniscus while playing for Ipswich Town during the 2022-23 season and although he has made 11 appearances this term, the ongoing after-effects mean playing twice a week will be a challenge.

"I'll just come off it a bit in the week and be ready for a game on Saturday, basically," the 30-year-old added.

"It's hard for me because all I ever want to do is be out on the pitch and it is sort of that mindset now that I'm not 21, I can't get out there (in training) every single day.

"I'm not old, but it's just managing the load so when I come to Saturday, I'm raring to go."

Cambridge are next in action at Notts County on Saturday and Ball says they must find a way to translate their home form into away matches.

Neil Harris' side boast the best home record in League Two, with 16 points from seven games, but have taken just five on their travels - 20th overall in the division.

"We need to look at that now and really improve because if we get that right we'll really fly up the league where I think we should be," said Ball.

The game against Bromley, which Cambridge led 2-0 at the interval, was interrupted for 10 minutes by an injury to referee Declan Bourne.

Ball added: "It was a very long second half - first game back, I didn't need that.

"But everyone was pushing us, even the manager and coaches on the side, to get over the line and we've done that.

"Would we have wanted the second half to look a bit different? Of course we would but every game is competitive, especially when they put an extra striker on - it's difficult but we got the win in the end."