Cambridge's Smith not taking games for granted

Cambridge United midfielder Korey Smith says he cannot afford to take any game for granted after returning to action following a long-term knee injury.

The 34-year-old suffered the setback in January and was not able to play any part as United were relegated from League One.

He finally made his comeback in September and has made 12 appearances so far to help Cambridge into the play-off places in League Two.

"The injury I've got, I can't train as much as I always did - there have been times where I'll try and train and get a little bit of a reaction.

"We've had to adjust my training to make sure I'm available for the matches and we've found that kind of middle ground, " the former Bristol City and Derby County player told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

"As you get older, that part of my body doesn't recover as quick as it once did, but luckily I've been able to get back on the pitch and I try not take any game for granted now and try and enjoy it."

Cambridge reached round three of the FA Cup on Saturday by beating League One side Stockport County 5-4 on penalties, with Smith successfully converting their first spot-kick in the shootout.

And they are in a good run of form in the league at present, unbeaten in four games going into Tuesday's home fixture against Chesterfield.

Smith said he had found League Two to be a highly competitive division.

"It's a little bit more stop-start than the higher [up the leagues] you go, but it's relentless and every team is a threat - there are strong, really athletic players in this league who can run all day," he added.

"It's about finding different ways to win games, and keep adding the points together and trying to push as high as we can."

There was a fresh injury concern for Cambridge boss Neil Harris during the Stockport match, with Zak Bradshaw having to go off in the 20th minute.

Harris confirmed that the 22-year-old is to have a scan and until that takes place, there is no time frame for his return to action.