Daryl Clare joined Gateshead from Mansfield in 2009

Cambridge United were fully aware of Daryl Clare's injury problems before they signed him, says boss Martin Ling.

The 32-year-old forward, signed from Gateshead this summer, is unlikely to be fit for United's opening game at Wrexham on Saturday 14 August.

Ling told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "We knew he had a slight problem with his glute area and we knew we had to do some rehabilitation.

"There's no panic, I look at it as a two-year programme."

He added: "I can guarantee that everything's OK with Daryl. There has been a specific programme he has had to go on.

"He's actually played with the problem before. The reason we're doing as we are is because I think we have the best physio in the Conference and he feels he can make Daryl a better physical specimen."

Is the Wrexham game too early? Possibly. But I've got to look at 50 games, not one Cambridge United boss Martin Ling on striker Daryl Clare

Clare has played little football since signing from part-time Gateshead in June and Ling is keen to make sure the striker, who hit 13 goals last season, is fully fit before leading the U's attack.

"Is the Wrexham game too early? Possibly. But I've got to look at 50 games, not one," he said.

"People have to remember Daryl was part-time six or seven months before he came here.

"I think he'll prove over the next two years to be a very valuable signing to us."

Cambridge face Bishop's Stortford in a friendly on Saturday with Rory MacAuley and Kevin Roberts also likely to miss out through injury.

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