Next Up: Exeter City v Cambridge United

City are back on home turf on Tuesday night hoping to secure a first home win since Boxing Day against a side that has been in the headlines of late. With a busy treatment room it was important no further knocks were picked up in the creditable 1-1 draw at fellow promotion chasers Bury, indeed Saturday saw a return from the bench for Ryan Harley. Tuesday night is likely to be too soon for Harley to return to the starting line-up which will likely mean a home debut for veteran Jamie McAllister, while David Noble and Scot Bennett are likely to remain sidelined.

Cambridge got the FA Cup “round of shocks” under way when they held Manchester United to a 0-0 draw, and although they were comfortably beaten 3-0 at Old Trafford in the replay Richard Money’s side earned nationwide plaudits for their performances. Their league form has suffered slightly in the wake of that draw, with two defeats and a draw in the three league matches that have followed, including a 1-0 reverse at home to promotion chasing Wycombe on Saturday.

They will be without loan star Cameron McGeehan as he fell foul to a typical display of acting that might have won a BAFTA from Wycombe, leading to a red card. They no longer have their current top scorer in their ranks, Kwesi Appiah having returned to Crystal Palace although he has been elsewhere of late, helping Ghana to the final of the African Cup of Nations. Another Palace loanee, Sullay Kaikai, has goal scoring form against City having netted in the U21 Cup defeat to the Grecians last season. Gearoid Morrissey made his debut at Old Trafford, the Irishman having apparently chosen the Us over City, while Jordan Slew signed last week having been released by Blackburn.

City were winless when the reverse fixture took place, and when Ryan Bird put Cambridge ahead after 8 minutes it appeared that the winless run would continue. However, goals from Graham Cummins and Alex Nicholls secured a first win and set City on a winning run that took Paul Tisdale’s side from the bottom to the playoff picture. The last time Cambridge made the long trek down to Devon was back in September 2007 for a 1-1 draw in the Conference (Mackie for City, Rendell equalising for Cambridge). Cambridge enjoy a healthy lead in league head to heads, with 21 wins to City’s 14 (10 draws), although you have to go back to the 02/03 relegation season for the last time Cambridge came away from the Park with a win.

Match Officials – http://www.exeweb.com/2015/02/09/match-officials-exeter-city-v-cambridge-united/

Ground Guide – http://www.exeweb.com/2012/05/29/the-things-you-need-to-know-st-james-park-exeter/

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