Beesley joined the U's from Forest Green in January 2008

Cambridge United striker Mark Beesley looks set to be out for up to a month after suffering knee ligament damage in Saturday's defeat by Torquay.

The former Forest Green man, 26, has started every U's match so far this season, scoring three goals.

Beesley told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "It was in the first 10 or 15 minutes, I went in for a block tackle and felt a pain in my knee.

"It's very frustrating, there's nothing worse than being injured."

Cambridge boss Gary Brabin has a number of options up front ahead of Saturday's trip to Mansfield.

Chris Holroyd, Chris Jones, Robbie Willmott and new man Danny Crow are all available to partner Lee McEvilly.

Crow only joined the U's last week after having his contract cancelled at Peterborough, but Beesley believes the former Norwich youngster will do a good job for the side.

"Danny's a good player, a good finisher, he'll be a great asset to us," Beesley said.

Courtney Pitt and Andy Parkinson remain long term absentees, but defender Dan Gleeson could make a return to the side this weekend after three weeks out.