United return to action for the first time in just over three weeks tonight as they head to Rodney Parade to face fellow high-fliers Newport County.
Looking ahead to the game, manager Chris Beech said: “It’s ridiculous how long it feels since we had a game, but it’s not really that long.
“It’s amazing, but the feeling ... I can’t wait to get back on the bike, as they say. We’ve got 25 opportunities, starting with Newport, and we want to continue our good traits in all of them.
“Granted, you wouldn’t really look to prep this way to play Newport away, coming out of a Covid chaotic period, but it is what it is.
"We’ll adapt and attack the opportunity that’s in front of us. Personally I can’t wait to put my shirt and tie back on, and my matchday jacket, and be ready to go.”
With both teams motoring along in the upper reaches of the division, he told us: “It’s changed so much, hasn’t it. Cambridge have been up and down, they set off like a house on fire, Morecambe did, then Newport did, Newport were well clear at one stage.
“These things do that over a longer race and distance, so I have no doubt that will continue because the division is tight. But, and I keep saying this, I have no interest whatsoever in that league table until the last day of the season.”
And Newport are one of those teams who seem to be there or thereabouts every year.
“First and foremost Newport are a great team with a great manager,” he said. “He’s done brilliant, and that’s in the cup competitions as well.
“I have a lot of respect for Flynny and how he has them playing. He has his challenges, as we do here, I know the type and style of football they’re trying to play and they’ve obviously got the challenges of the pitch that’s shared with rugby.
“I just have so much respect for him because of what he’s done and how he’s done it, and the players who play for him have that same level of respect, you can see that.”
“I think the game will be a very difficult one,” he added. “It’s just a mad season, if you consider the last time we played was January 2, the last time we trained outside as a full group was January 1, then we’re being asked to get prepared to go to Newport.
“Some of the lads’ first days back at work will actually be at Newport. We have to make sure what we decide to do works for us. We always work in a no-excuse environment.
“Our circumstances have put us in this position both on and off the pitch, but we have to deal with it and we have to make sure we take all of our efforts into our next opportunity, which is this game against Newport.
“In terms of rivals, I think the only rival we have is ourselves. We have to make sure we look after ourselves and understand what our traits are, and make sure we adhere to them.
“Things are what they are and we’re just really looking forward to getting back to doing what I enjoy and what we like doing.
"That’s playing football, representing our supporters and trying to gain a hard-earned three points.”