Cambridge United head coach Garry Monk explains absence of Liam Bennett and Connor O’Riordan for 2-0 defeat to Lincoln City

Cambridge United head coach Garry Monk has explained why neither Liam Bennett nor Connor O’Riordan featured during yesterday’s 2-0 home defeat to Lincoln City.

For fans’ favourite Bennett, the loss marked a third League One fixture out of the last four in which he has been an unused substitute.

Just two of his four starts in all competitions this term have come in the league – a situation that is somewhat alien to the 22-year-old, who has been a near ever present since returning to the club from a loan spell at Walsall towards the end of 2022.

James Gibbons was once again preferred from the start in the right wing-back role against Lincoln, with attacking midfielder Dan Barton later taking up that position after being introduced as a second-half substitute.

Monk said: “You have to make decisions and only 11 players can start a game and you put seven on the bench.

“Of course I thought about bringing him on today, but I knew we were going to face a lot of direct balls.

“Using Gibbo, in defensive terms he’s more experienced and better in those situations than Liam.

“We thought about bringing him on, but then we put Barts and SK (Sullay Kaikai) into those positions because we were trying to chase the game and put as many attacking players on to the pitch as we can.”

Meanwhile, centre-back O’Riordan was not included in the matchday squad.

After starting the first four league matches following his arrival on loan from Championship outfit Blackburn Rovers, the Republic of Ireland international dropped to the bench for last weekend’s 2-1 loss at Wycombe Wanderers.

Monk added: “It was a difficult one. I knew it was going to be a real physical game with a lot of directness and that’s caused us problems this season.

“We’re trying to find the combination in the back three and I made the decision to go with those three.

“The way the bench is set up it only needed one centre-half and unfortunately for Connor he missed out today, but there will be plenty of opportunities for him this season.”