In a week overshadowed by financial turmoil off the pitch, City assistant manager Grant Brown is calling for more dogged and determined performances on the road so the side can rally towards a playoff spot.

The 1-0 win over Dover was extremely pleasing for Chris Moyses and his side. The result had to be grinded out but Ben Tomlinson was able to get on the end of a looping Sean Newton cross to stab home and get all three points for Imps.

However, Lincoln have not played since January 31 as their clash with Alfreton Town was postponed and they’ll want to get off to a winning start in this calendar year with victory away to Bristol Rovers this weekend.

Despite the side’s rare luxury of having clean bill of health going into this fixture, Brown admits that securing all three points is going to be easier said than done and marked out last seasons League 2 outfit as serious title favourites:

“When the season started they were always going to be up as contenders.”

Commenting on Rovers’ January acquisitions of Jermaine Easter from Millwall and Adam Dawson from Leicester City, Brown said:

“Rovers have done well and managed to strengthen their team in recent weeks. You have to look at them as Barnet’s closest rivals.”

Lincoln have also made some changes of their own to their squad. Imps fans can expect to see four new faces at Sincil Bank very soon as centre-forward Tyrell Waite and former England international Steve Hodge’s son, Elliot Hodge, join from Notts County.

Goalkeeper Aidan Grant will provide some much-needed depth between the sticks but arguably the most important signing of the window has to be Tom Davies on loan from Fleetwood Town.

Lincoln have been desperate for defenders in recent times following a spate of long-term injuries.

With Tom Miller and Tony Diagne both currently stuck on the sidelines, manager Chris Moyses has only had four defenders at his disposal, so the signing of Tom Davies should provide extra cover in the event of any more injuries.

“More competition for places is never a bad thing. We do not want complacency in the squad.”

Ryan Hall