Cambridge United head coach Neil Harris believes that tomorrow evening’s opponents, Wycombe Wanderers, have a squad that should be targeting a place within the League One play-offs come the end of the season.

After 10 games, it is the U’s that are the surprise name in the top six, having tasted defeat just once, while the visiting Chairboys are 11th.

But Harris expects Wanderers – now under the management of Tom Hounsell following an interim spell in charge – to be in and around the higher echelons of the table as the campaign progresses.

He said: “They’re a team that plays with intensity, they want to press aggressively, and they can handle the football.

“I just think they’ve got a very good squad, and they should be majorly disappointed if they’re not in the top six come the end of the season. That’s not me trying to put pressure on Tom – sorry Tom, if you’re watching!

“But if you look at the depth in the squad, the quality they’ve got, and the money they’ve spent to recruit players on loan and permanent, they should be a team that’s top six.

“It’s another challenge for us, one we’ll have a right go at. We’ll go into it with a lot of freedom because of the points we’ve picked up so far, but also we’re back at the Abbey as well.

“It’s been a special place for us over the last 18 months, and we’re all looking forward to it.”

The clash at the Cledara Abbey is another example of Cambridge coming up against an opposition club with a budget that dwarfs their own.

Yet, Harris’ side have already caused some upsets this term, winning away at table-topping Bradford City, as well as coming from behind to beat Reading. They have also got the better of both Wigan Athletic and Blackpool – two sides that, while currently struggling, were in the Premier League in the not too distant past.

Harris, who will make a late fitness call on captain Dom Ball, added: “Competitive nature-wise, I think it’s the best league in the EFL. The Championship is always a tough league, but League Two, in my opinion, is nowhere near as good as it was last year.

“In League One, there are so many good teams in it. We’ve upset the apple cart so far, and we’ll continue to try to do that.

“But there’s a lot of strength in depth, and a lot of money being spent in the division. That’s just owners trying to get out of the division, and back into the Championship because that’s a powerful league now and there’s money to be made in it.

“I understand why so many teams – 10 or 12 teams – will be vying for the top six (in League One). To be where we are at the moment, and to try to keep pushing in those circles, is nice for us as a football club.

“It’s a great challenge for my players to push themselves all the time. I feel we’ve got quite a few players in the squad that will go on and play in the Championship over a period of time, and some players that have come out of playing in the Championship that enjoy playing against well-structured teams that have got good players, and they’re testing themselves as they’re getting older.

“We’ve really attacked and enjoyed this season so far.”