Four goals in 19 league games this campaign has seen Josh Kayode cement his status as a favourite with the fans here at Brunton Park, and the Blue Army were buoyed this week when Rotherham manager Paul Warne appeared to suggest that the young forward was going to be allowed to continue with his season-long loan spell at Brunton Park.
Manager Chris Beech said: “Nothing’s ever finalised until it’s done. But in terms of JJ as an individual, he loves being here, being given the opportunity to improve, and we’ve all seen he’s done that.
“If you compare the Cambridge fixture to Walsall, just three or four months of football, he’s definitely learning. I did listen and watch Paul’s interview, and I’ve spoken to Richie [Barker] who’s a friend of mine, his assistant manager, we’re very thankful of the fact he’s looking to keep him out on loan.
“I agree with his comments of what he’s made of his striking prowess at Rotherham. JJ can then look to return possibly in the summer and make a big impact. Rotherham may still be in that division or may not be, but this is an opportunity for him to bed in at a full season’s worth of football.
“That goes for all our players, there’s not many lads who are seasoned campaigners and it will be interesting to see how we get on in the second half of season.”
But is there a risk that JJ could be recalled to then go out elsewhere?
“The best thing about a player who’s on loan - I know Rotherham got promoted with players on loan who went back to their clubs after they finished what they did - it’s to make sure the player feels comfortable and happy,” he commented.
“It’s to make sure the player is getting what he needs to get out of it, it’s to understand he’s at a club where he’s coached and challenged to improve, not just a case of allowing him to play and he’s not ours.
“He’s improved dramatically because of that. I know he’s disappointed with his personal goal tally, I understand, I’ve shown him why that can improve, talked to him about it, like I do with all of our players.
“Whether they’re the youngest or oldest in the squad, we can all get better. I think Rotherham appreciate that, they see he’s improving which, in turn, gives them a medium to long-term investment. I think by him being here gives JJ the best opportunity to do that.”
