Following Saturday’s disappointing defeat at home to AFC Halifax, Welling United travel to second placed Cambridge United on Tuesday night.

The Wings squad was stretched on Saturday and a bad injury to Connor McLaren will limit their options further. Blaine Hudson, who was sent off against the Shaymen, would not have been able to play on Tuesday anyway, as Cambridge United are his parent club. Tom Bender is expected to return.

Kurtis Guthrie, Ross Lafayette and Jack Obersteller all sat out Saturday’s game and their injuries/illnesses will be monitored closely in the hope that at least one of them will be able to play a part.

Other options include Jamie Day selecting himself, Basile Karagiannis being given his full debut and a recall from VCD Athletic for Barney Williams.

Whilst they have been enjoying their F.A. Trophy run, Cambridge have only won one of their last eight league games and were held at home by Dartford on Saturday. Tom Elliott put United ahead in the 67^th minute but they were stunned by Alex Wall’s injury time equaliser.

It would appear unlikely that Cambridge can catch Luton Town however the Hatters’ Monday night home defeat against Woking leaves them with an outside chance and manager Richard Money will ensure that they are not distracted by the F.A. Trophy final at Wembley next Saturday.

Earlier in the season, the two teams played out a very entertaining 2-2 draw at Park View Road. Ryan Donaldson put the visitors ahead in the 33^rd minute, but Welling scored twice in the next ten minutes to turn the game on its head. Ross Lafayette and Lee Clarke were the goal-scorers. Nathan Arnold restored parity in the 68^th minute. Although both teams had chances to grab the clincher, a draw was a just result.

Former Wing Andy Pugh was recalled by Cambridge from his loan spell at Dartford but did not feature in their sixteen man squad on Saturday so it remains questionable as to whether Welling supporters will see one of their old favourites on Tuesday night.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.