Cambridge United director Jez George has moved to clarify comments made by manager Martin Ling following Saturday's defeat by Hayes and Yeading.

Ling appeared to play down the club's chances of winning promotion this year.

George told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "We all want the club to move forward as quickly as possible, but we need to ensure our success is sustainable.

"We still believe we can reach the play-offs this season and we still believe we can be promoted."

Since taking over at the Abbey during the summer, Ling has been keen to emphasise the long-term nature of his project.

"It's about a three-year project and where we want to go and the players have got to show me they want to come along for the ride," he said on Saturday.

But whilst George admits it is vital they take a longer-term view than in previous seasons, he says promotion this term remains the aim.

"We need to get the training ground right and the culture around the club right because we believe we got a lot of talented youngster on the way," he said.

"It doesn't mean we're going to wait three years before trying to get promoted, but we have to be realistic and build something that will last."

It is an uncertain period for the U's with the club still yet to appoint a new chairman following the departure of George Rolls.

Majority shareholder Paul Barry has taken the position on an interim basis, but has made clear his intention to step aside as soon as possible.

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