Rovers defender Connor O’Riordan believes working under Garry Monk at Cambridge will be good for his development.

The 20-year-old headed out on loan to the Abbey Stadium last month and has made four appearances for the U’s so far.

O’Riordan joined Rovers from Crewe in the January window but struggled to nail down a place in the side, playing twice in the Championship.

The centre-back, who is currently away on international duty with Ireland Under-21s, admitted it was frustrating at times and is eager to show what he can do in League One.

“At the start you try your hardest to get a place in the team but when players come in in your position, you know the opportunity may not be there to play week in, week out and that’s what I need,” he told the Irish press.

“We were in a tough position as a club, we had a change of manager too and there were a lot of things changing.

“I didn’t play as much as I wanted to. I understood the reasons why but at the same time it is frustrating.

“I think that’s what I found the hardest, going in every day and knowing I wouldn’t be playing at the weekend.

“Sometimes I was left out of the squad and I found that difficult too. But I think in the long term it will end up being a positive thing for me.

“I have dealt with that now so if it ever does happen again in my career, I know how to deal with it.”

O’Riordan has started Cambridge’s last three league games and is loving life at the Abbey Stadium so far.

“I have really enjoyed Cambridge and really like the manager,” he explained. “He’s an ex centre-half himself with a really good pedigree and he has helped me a lot.

“He really says stuff in a different way to what I have heard before. The more time I spend with him it will only develop me more as a player.”