Carden does not expect Cambridge to make Scott Rendell's loan permanent

Cambridge assistant manager Paul Carden says he cannot see any new strikers coming to the club now that Lee Phillips has signed a one-year-deal.

The 28-year-old will join Chris Holroyd, Mark Beesley and Danny Crow in United's forward line in the Blue Square Premier next season.

Carden told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "I can't see us bringing any more in.

"We won't be having five or six strikers like the other teams at this level," he added.

The news will come as a disappointment for U's fans hoping to see Scott Rendell return to the Abbey. The 22-year-old scored 13 goals while on loan from Peterborough last season.

Carden revealed Rendell would not be making a permanent move: "Well, unless we've got a rich fan who wants to pay Peterborough £150,000, which is what they want for him.

"If I'm honest I wouldn't be paying that money for anyone to play at this level but that's not to say we couldn't get him on loan. Anything can happen, as we've seen in football."

Phillips, however, will be playing at the Abbey next season after turning down bigger money deals at other Blue Square Premier sides.

"He had offers from other clubs which were better financially. We couldn't compete really. We're not talking the odd £25 here and there, it was substantially a lot more," Carden said.

"He wanted to play for the manager and Cambridge United and that's the kind of lad we wanted. That shows the type of lad he is and the impact Cambridge has had on him."

Carden also confirmed boss Gary Brabin would be holding talks with midfielders Jai Reason and Darryl McMahon this week with a view to keeping both of the players.

Meanwhile coach Stuart Bimson has left the club as the United board look to cut costs in the wage bill.

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