Patrick has made six U's appearances, all as a substitute

Cambridge United boss Martin Ling says it will be tough to overlook winger Jordan Patrick after his cameo in Saturday's 3-3 draw with Tamworth.

Patrick, 19, stepped off the bench with striker Adam Marriott to help pull back a three-goal deficit against the Lambs.

Ling told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "The two kids that came on, I don't think Marriott's still quite ready for a start, JP definitely is.

"It gives me a headache over what I do with that and what system we play."

He added: "It's nice to have that problem, we haven't had it for a while."

I'm happy to get a goal and hopefully I can build on that and get a start or some more appearances or goals Cambridge United winger Jordan Patrick

Marriott, also 19, made his first appearance for over six weeks after an ankle injury and grabbed his fist goal of the season in delightful fashion, skipping past two Tamworth defenders before lobbing goalkeeper Ross Atkins to snatch a point for the U's.

Patrick, who has yet to make a start for Ling's side, had earlier scored his first goal for the club since graduating from the Cambridge youth system.

"I'm happy to get a goal and hopefully I can build on that and get a start, or some more appearances or goals," he said.

"All I can do is keep going, keep working hard and see what happens."

Meanwhile player-coach Paul Carden could return for Saturday's visit of Altrincham after missing out against Tamworth because of a calf injury.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version