Jobe’s a top prospect for U’s - Monk

FORMER Gateshead loan star Mamadou Jobe has been tipped to impress after returning to parent club Cambridge United,

The 21-year-old centre-back joined the Heed on an initial short-term loan in November and that was extended until the end of the season in February after Jobe adapted well to life in the National League.

However, after making 22 appearances in all competitions for Rob Elliot’s side, Jobe was recalled by his parent club last week and was immediately handed an opportunity to prove his worth in League One.

The young defender made a big impression as the U’s claimed an impressive 2-0 win at Barnsley on Friday before retaining his place in their starting XI for Monday’s 3-1 home victory against Wigan.

U’s head coach Garry Monk explained the reasoning behind Jobe’s recall from his loan at Gateshead, and stressed the centre-back will be given every chance to continue impressing in his side.

He said: “As many options as I can get is going to help. There’s quick turnarounds in games, a lot of things happen, and lads are carrying niggles, and there’s freshness and all these type of things.

“Mamadou’s been playing week-in, week-out (at Gateshead), it’s not like he’s just been training and has not got the match fitness there. He’s an exciting prospect for the club, so I need to look at him.

“I don’t just want to get to the end of the season with these young players, and they’ve been out on loan and I haven’t seen them, and then you come back in pre-season and that’s the first time you see them.

“He can contribute, but also it gives me a chance to have good eyes on him, and he’s in a position to be in the squad and play.

“He’s got all the attributes of your modern-day defender, his size and athleticism, and obviously his attributes on the ball. He’s definitely going to be one moving forward, along with the likes of Zeno (Ibsen Rossi), who have got that profile and probably just need to be given the opportunities.”

Gateshead have announced defender Joe Cook and the loan signing of Fleetwood Town youngster Will Johnson.