Former Southend United boss Rob Newman is helping out at League Two crisis club Cambridge United.

Another Blues old boy - ex-youth team coach Ricky Duncan - has been handed the caretaker managerial reins at the Abbey Stadium following the sacking of Frenchman Herve Renard at the weekend.

The U's are in the basement league relegation zone and are sinking fast following a miserable run of eight defeats in their last nine games.

But Newman, 41, who made 85 appearances for the Shrimpers, scoring 12 goals, believes he can give the deflated U's players a major boost in their survival fight.

"I've come in to help Ricky on the coaching side and my aim is to give the players a lift and help them get back to winning football matches," said the former Norwich City defender.