Chris Moyses thinks former Imps man Ben Tomlinson warrants a good reception from the Sincil Bank crowd this weekend.
Tomlinson left City in the summer and joined League Two side Barnet, before loan spells at Grimsby Town and, now Tranmere Rovers.
Moyses chose not to offer the 26-year-old a new deal in May, after a long running saga with Tomlinson continuously refusing to commit to the club.
However, the City boss believes he deserves to be respected by the Sincil Bank faithful on Saturday, with Tranmere the visitors.
He said: “He (Tomlinson) deserves a good reception. He did well for the club.
“We didn’t always see eye to eye but I have no problems with him at all.
“I don’t know where he’ll play, maybe on the left wing, but we know all about him and what he can and can’t do.”
Tranmere return to Sincil Bank after their FA Cup exit to the Imps a few weeks ago.
City are now out of the competition after a shocking defeat against Whitehawk last weekend.
However, they did bounce back on Wednesday evening after a late Jack Muldoon strike fired them to a 2-1 victory away at Aldershot in the National League.
Moyses said: “It was massive for the lads. They’ve got lots of self-belief and to go down there and come away with three points is huge.
“It’s nice being at home now, it beats being on the bus for three hours. They were long trips.
“It’s a different set of rules now. We have to kick on and make sure we get in the play-offs.
“We keep giving ourselves the opportunity and we can’t keep turning it down.”