Sincil Bank (K.O 3pm)
Referee: Scott Mathieson
Lincoln City take on Dagenham & Redbridge at Sincil Bank tomorrow looking to regain their impressive league form after their three-match winning run ended with a disappointing 1-0 defeat at Burton on Wednesday night.
Chris Sutton’s squad has been hit by injury concerns over several key players ahead of the clash against the Daggers. Defender Nathan Baker was forced off at half-time at the Pirelli Stadium midweek with a knee injury and Brian Gilmour also suffered a bad knock to his knee which is still undergoing treatment. Both are doubtful ahead of tomorrow’s clash.
Meanwhile on-loan pairing Matt Saunders and Michael Uwezu have returned to parent club Fulham after suffering thigh and Achilles injuries in training.
The Imps managed their first hat-trick of league wins since October 2008 with victories over Chesterfield, Barnet, and Bradford City to propel them up three places to 19th in the League Two table, and more importantly give themselves a nine point cushion over relegation rivals Grimsby Town, placed second-from-bottom.
However City boss Chris Sutton insists his side are still in a relegation dogfight.
“It’s fair to say that where we are now in terms of our football compared to three months ago is far better. There’s a better pattern to our play and the players seem to have a better understanding, albeit I still think in the final third we need to do more, which we’re working on.
“But that’s the most difficult thing – it’s why Wayne Rooney gets paid what he does because players like that have the nouse, guile and ability in the final third. We just have to keep working away.
“We have improved but we don’t have a divine right to stay in this league and I think the sooner we realise that the better.”
The former Celtic hitman will be hoping his charges can capitalise on a poor run of form for John Still’s Dagenham, who have picked up only two wins in their previous 10 league outings and were beaten 3-0 by Notts County at home on Tuesday night.
The return fixture in August saw the Daggers run out 3-0 winners in what turned out to be Peter Jackson’s final league game in charge of the Imps.
“There is no doubt it will be a tough game. They are physically strong, they can be direct but they have got some decent players in the middle of the park,” added Sutton.
“But there is no reason for us to lose confidence, we played well the other night at Burton. Maybe we didn’t get the breaks which our play deserved, but we’re at home Saturday and hopefully with the fans behind us we’ll do OK.”
Sutton also admitted he wasn’t hopeful of making any more additions to his squad before the transfer window closes on Monday evening, despite defender Janos Kovacs exiting Sincil Bank to join Blue Square Premier outfit Luton Town earlier this week.
“I’d like to bring more players in but we’ll have to see what materialises. We have made players available but there’s been no interest shown in those players except for Janos.
“What worries me is the depth of our squad. As far as Ian [Pearce, assistant manager] and I are concerned we’re still in a relegation battle. Three wins don’t necessarily change that and nothing’s changed in our minds. We might have a big squad but it’s not as strong as we would like.”
Chris was an absolutely fantastic player, a legend for Celtic. I wish him and the Imps fans all the best for the remainder of the season.