The 20-year-old, who joined from Bristol City, has been sidelined since September after sustaining a knee injury during the U’s match against Mansfield Town.
Hopes were high that Stokes could return to training this week, but Cambridge manager Garry Monk has confirmed that a slight aggravation of the injury will delay his comeback. Monk remains optimistic about Stokes’ recovery, describing the setback as “nothing too serious.”
Monk Provides Injury Update
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s game, Monk explained the current situation with Stokes.
“The idea was for him to be in training next week, but he’s had a little bit of aggravation which is nothing too serious. Whether it will be next week he’s fully into training or it might even be the week after. We’re kind of assessing him because he’ll be in training over the weekend, and we’ll see how he reacts.”
Stokes’ absence has been keenly felt by the U’s, who valued his energy and creativity during his strong start to the season. After impressing in early appearances against Blackpool, Bristol Rovers, and Mansfield, Stokes quickly established himself as a key player in Monk’s midfield.
Upcoming Fixtures for Cambridge
Cambridge face a challenging run of games, starting with Barnsley at the Cledara Abbey Stadium, followed by a trip to Northampton on November 23 and a home game against Bolton on November 26. Monk will be hoping to have Stokes back in contention for one of these crucial fixtures as the U’s look to climb the League One table.
Monk also acknowledged the difficulty of managing player fitness, particularly with the busy fixture schedule looming. “It’s always a balance with injuries like this. We want him back as soon as possible, but not at the expense of his long-term fitness,” he added.
Stokes, initially part of Ipswich Town Academy, rose through AFC Sudbury’s senior team before joining Aldershot Town in 2023, scoring 16 goals. Bristol City signed him in 2024, loaning him back, with his debut following in August.
Writer’s View
Josh Stokes’ delayed return is a blow for Cambridge United, especially during a pivotal part of the season. His creativity and work rate have been missed, and his absence underlines the importance of depth in the squad. While Monk’s cautious approach is wise, the U’s will need to find solutions in midfield to maintain momentum in their upcoming fixtures.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief at The Real EFL, Gary is a passionate Lincoln City fan with extensive content creation across the Championship and EFL. He also shares expert football betting tips.
