CAMBRIDGE United boss Garry Monk has been impressed by the progress made by Dan Nlundulu in his time at the Abbey Stadium.
The Wanderers striker has been on loan with the U’s since September and has started 12 games in all competitions to date.
Nlundulu has also returned three goals – but having missed such a lot of football last season, Monk feels there is more to come.
“He’s done great and like a lot of the players we’ve had to manage them as best we can,” he told The Cambridge Independent.
“It’s probably the most consecutive football that Dan has played in a long time – that’s great.
“We can all see the attributes he brings and the more he plays the sharper, fitter and more confident he’ll be.
“Since he’s come in, he’s worked really well with the group and contributed in the games.
“Hopefully we can add more to the goal tallies for all of the strikers, but we’re happy to have him here.”
Ian Evatt has confirmed that other clubs have shown an interest in loaning Nlundulu during the second half of the season but stressed that he has not yet made his mind up on whether he will remain with Cambridge beyond January.
The former Southampton man scored five times in 28 appearances in all competitions for the Whites last season but missed just over five months of football after tearing his hamstring in early December last year during a Bristol Street Motors Trophy game against Port Vale.
He did return to feature sporadically in the final few weeks of the campaign but is now looking to get some durability with regular football out on loan.
Evatt insists there is a future for him at Bolton.
“The door is definitely not closed for Dan,” he said. “I think a lot of him and he knows that but we sent him out on loan to make sure he gets the games that he needs right now.”
Monk’s side has pulled four points clear of the relegation zone after a run of one defeat in six games, which have included wins against Wigan, Stevenage and Burton.
Speaking ahead of Wanderers’ visit, the U’s boss believes they will once again be challenging for Championship football.
“It’s another strong team and a team that will undoubtedly be pushing for promotion this season,” said Monk.
“They’ve got a strong squad, an experienced squad that has been together for quite a while now. They’ve always been there or thereabouts and they were unfortunate last season (to lose in the play-offs).
“Like any team like that, this league can do that – it can trip you up at times.
“It’s a tough game for us but one that we’re looking forward to. We’re trying to keep gathering points and add them to our tally.
“There’s a lot of determination and motivation to do well against this type of team.”
