Cambridge United could achieve what is thought to be a 'first' in tomorrow's Nationwide Division Two encounter with Bournemouth.

Physio Ken Steggles and club doctor Steve Jones will be in contact with each other throughout the game via a two-way radio link which is aimed at speeding up process of diagnosis and treatment of injured players. Serious injuries to Ben Chenery and Andy Duncan in recent seasons have promoted the initiative and, as Steggles said, "When treating injuries, time is of the essence.

"Anything which speeds up diagnosis and treatment is beneficial and, and this instant communication between myself out on the pitch and the Doctor in the dug-out is a tremendous improvement."

With the backing of the Football League, Cambridge United tested this approach in a mid-week reserve game against Peterborough United and now, with the co-operation of Stadium Manager Ian Darler, are set to launch the idea in tomorrow's first team home game.

Roy McFarland is very supportive of an initiative which could signal the end of semaphore gestures from the physio on the far side of the pitch trying to inform the manager on the bench whether or not a player needs substituting. He commented, "This instant communication will not only benefit the injured player but will help me as a manager enormously. It is certainly a far cry from the days of sending an apprentice or ball boy round the pitch to find out what on earth is going on."

Steggles' closing comment when speaking to Will Jones yesterday was with reference to his new headset: "A lot of people think I'm a DJ at the moment and they think I'm going to do some rapping out there!"