Brabin knows he will have competition for Reason's signature

Cambridge United manager Gary Brabin says midfielder Jai Reason is likely to sign a permanent deal with the club.

The 19-year-old is on loan from Ipswich where his contract expires at the end of the season.

Brabin told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "It's no secret he wants to stay at the club and we want to keep him.

"It's just a matter of dotting the i's and crossing the t's. But at this moment in time I don't want to disturb what we're doing on the pitch."

Reason has made a big impression at the Abbey, helping the U's to climb up to second in the Blue Square Premier.

Brabin admitted to giving him a half-time talking to during the trip to Woking on Monday after what he deemed a disappointing first 30 minutes from the youngster and he responded by grabbing the winning goal.

Brabin said: "I was probably a little bit critical of Jai, I thought the first half hour he was nowhere near the standards he's set himself. I had a little go at him at half-time.

"He's been brilliant around the place and he wants to improve as a player. He's shown us and set standards he can't fall below."

Reason remains a doubt for this weekend's visit of Forest Green after bruising his foot during the 1 - 0 win at Woking.

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