Cambridge need to play with freedom - Harris

Cambridge United boss Neil Harris has urged his team to "play with freedom" with the prospect of automatic promotion in sight.

The U's take on Grimsby Town on Tuesday, the first of back-to-back home games which could see them go up to League One with a match to spare.

Victory over the Mariners would put them only one point behind second-placed MK Dons and mean that realistically they would only need two more points from two matches.

"We've come a long way in a short space of time. That's great, but we're at the business end of the season, it's a serious time for us and we want to win, that's our job, that's what gets me up in the morning," Harris told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

"I'm massively looking forward to the next five days and what's in front of us, two really different challenges in Grimsby and Barrow (at home), but we're a hungry team with momentum.

"We have to make sure we play with a freedom and a consistency, individually (the players need) to be the best they can."

Grimsby have every incentive as they would move into the play-off places, should they pick up three points at the Cledara Abbey Stadium, while Saturday's opponents Barrow are fighting to avoid the drop into the National League.

"There's no arrogance in what we do, there's a confidence and a momentum from playing at home, but certainly no arrogance. That's the message to the players and they're very clear on that," Harris added.

"It's a game in hand for both teams and a chance to build an advantage on opponents around you."

Cambridge will be without Northern Ireland striker Shayne Lavery for the two home games after he went off in last Thursday's goalless draw with leaders Barrow because of the latest in a series of hamstring problems.

"Shayne's had a scan. He has an outside chance for (the final game of the season at) Crewe, it's nothing major, no long-term effects like the previous ones he's had this year," Harris added.