Rory McAuley hopes a successful loan spell with Dartford will help him win back his place in Cambridge United’s defence.

The 24-year-old, who is with the Darts for a month, started for the U’s in their second and third games of the season before a serious injury stopped him in his tracks.

He twisted his ankle against Aldershot and had to watch on as Cambridge stormed to the top of the Skrill Premier.

McAuley said: "It was devastating because at the time we’d signed Tom Bonner (from Dartford) at centre-back and we’ve got Ian Miller and Josh Coulson, so I’d got my chance back in the team. I was gutted, two games in, to roll my ankle and be out for such a spell.

"Now Cambridge are still flying, they’re doing really well, so it’s going to be tough for me to get back in. But I love a challenge and I’ll keep battling.

"I’ll come here and try to play my best and try to go back and get in their side. But while I’m here, I’m a Dartford player. I’m fully committed to that."

Read the full interview in the Dartford Messenger.