Clare has previously played for Boston, Chester and Burton

Cambridge United boss Martin Ling has admitted that striker Daryl Clare has failed to meet expectations, but has backed him to find his best form.

Clare, 32, has scored just one goal since joining the U's over the summer.

"It hasn't gone how Daryl would expect or how we would expect. We signed him to be our top goalscorer," Ling told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

"But he's ready and willing for when the chance comes along and we just need something to spark him off."

Clare joined the U's in a £10,000 deal from Gateshead over the summer, but struggled with injury during pre-season.

He failed to get off the bench in last Saturday's win over Barrow, with the U's deploying a three-man attack.

However whilst Ling has been disappointed with Clare's recent form, he has praised the efforts of former Histon man Danny Wright.

"His adjustment from part-time to full-time has taken it's natural course which is what we wanted to happen and we're now reaping the rewards," Ling said.

"The one area where he feels he can get better and we feel he can get better is with his goalscoring return, but he has been playing as a lone striker in recent games."

Ling knows the U's go into Saturday's FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie with Conference South strugglers Lewes as overwhelming favourites, but has warned his men to take nothing for granted.

"The watch words here are 'FA Cup' as there will be surprises on Saturday and we don't want one of them to be at the Abbey," he said.

Charlton loanee Alex Stavrinou has been denied permission to play and is likely to be replaced by fit-again Kevin Roberts.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version