Struggling Cambridge United are set to be without key forward Shayne Lavery for at least six weeks, as manager Garry Monk confirmed ahead of their EFL Trophy clash against Charlton Athletic.
The U’s, who have struggled for form this season, will need to face their upcoming fixtures without their top scorer, a significant blow for the side currently sitting at the bottom of League One.
Cambridge have had a difficult start to the campaign, still searching for their first win in any competition. They scraped through the first round of the EFL Trophy by beating Bromley on penalties but have yet to secure three points in any match this season. The loss of Lavery only adds to the challenges for Monk’s side.
Speaking to BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, Monk expressed his disappointment over the injury. “It’s not the best news,” he admitted. “Shayne has a hamstring strain, and we’re looking at him being out for six to eight weeks, possibly even longer. It’s a big blow for us.”
Monk added that the extent of the injury was worse than initially hoped. “What Shayne felt initially, we were optimistic it might be a quicker recovery, but it turned out to be the worst possible scenario for us.”
Lavery, who has been a crucial player for Cambridge, is currently the club’s joint-top scorer with two goals this season, alongside wingback Emmanuel Longelo. The Northern Irish striker also contributed significantly in their recent matches, including an assist for Longelo in the game against Blackpool. His absence will leave Cambridge thin up front, with only Ryan Loft and 19-year-old Brandon Njoku available as natural strikers.
Loft, who joined from Port Vale this summer, is yet to make his debut at The Abbey Stadium, while Njoku, still in the early stages of his career, has featured four times already this season. Lavery’s injury could see Njoku taking on more responsibility in the coming weeks as Cambridge look for solutions to their scoring woes.
Addressing how the team will adapt without Lavery, Monk remained pragmatic: “It’s obviously not ideal, but we have to find ways to deal with it. I feel for Shayne and for the team. He was really starting to hit his stride. But now it’s about adjusting, reshuffling a few things, and pushing forward.”
Our View
Shayne Lavery’s injury couldn’t come at a worse time for Cambridge United, who are already in a precarious position. As the team’s top scorer, Lavery has been instrumental in their attack, and his absence leaves a significant gap in their front line. Given Cambridge’s current position at the foot of the table, losing him for an extended period is a tough blow in their battle for survival.
For 19-year-old Brandon Njoku, this represents a major opportunity. With Lavery sidelined, Njoku is likely to be thrust into a more prominent role. Although still inexperienced, this could be a defining period in his young career. Facing some of the best defenders in League One will be a steep learning curve, but if he can rise to the challenge, he could become a key figure in Cambridge’s survival push.
It will be difficult for Cambridge to pick up points against tough upcoming opponents like Lincoln City, Rotherham United, and Birmingham City, but these were already challenging fixtures. Monk will need to rely on his remaining squad to step up and deliver, as they navigate this critical period without their star striker.
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