EMIRATES FA CUP SECOND ROUND
The U’s welcome League One side Doncaster Rovers to the Abbey Stadium tomorrow (KO 2:00pm) for an Emirates FA Cup second round tie.
Shaun Derry’s men progressed through the last stage of the competition after a 1-0 home win against Basingstoke Town whilst Rovers won comfortably against lower league opposition Stalybridge Celtic at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Keith Keane still remains on the side lines for the U’s with Ryan Donaldson also unlikely to be involved in the match, otherwise Shaun Derry has an almost fully fit squad to choose from.
Meanwhile, the visitors to the Abbey Stadium tomorrow afternoon arrive on the back of a notable 2-2 draw with League One table-toppers Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena last Saturday.
Following an unsteady start to life under former Peterborough United boss Darren Ferguson who took charge at the Keepmoat in mid-October, performances and results have begun to swing back in favour of Doncaster in recent weeks.
Just one loss in their previous six fixtures is a sign of a momentum shift for Rovers, and given they are equipped with former Nottingham Forest and Derby County marksman Nathan Tyson up front, Doncaster certainly don't lack punch when looking to threaten opposing teams.
The two sides have not met for over a decade since the U’s took the spoils in a Football League Trophy clash back in November 2005 winning the tie 3-2. The overall record is also in Cambridge’s favour with United having won eight of their matches to Doncaster’s seven respectively.
The U’s boss is expecting a tricky encounter against the South Yorkshire side, he said: “It will be a really tough fixture. Obviously they have had a change in manager recently as well and have picked up results of late so we know they are a very good opponent.
“Doncaster have got some quality players, a good manager and it is a great football club overall. They have a system that could potentially cause us problems and we have to be able to counter that.”
“But my message since I joined the club is that I want to take the game to our opposition. That is not going to change just because we are playing a team from the League above.
“I back my players and I want them to back themselves on Sunday and help us progress to the next round.”
Tickets are still available for the clash online, in-store or by calling 01223 566 500 today.