Lincoln City manager Danny Cowley admitted he’s going to find it difficult to pick his starting 11 when his side host Tranmere Rovers at Sincil Bank on Saturday.
The Imps, currently second, could go top if they beat Rovers, and after having a 14 day rest after their FA Trophy tie was postponed, Cowley believes the break came at the right time.
“We’ve now been 10-11 days without a game, and it came at a good time,” Cowley said.
“It gave us a chance to freshen up physically and mentally, and at the moment we’re trying to find a balance between freshness and fitness.”
However Cowley conceded that the break hasn’t been ideal, after not having a game last weekend, City arranged a match against Boston United on Monday, which the likes of Harry Anderson, Adam Marriott and Taylor Miles all featured.
“You want the games to come thick and fast, but in terms of our planning and scheduling, the most challenging times are when we don’t have a game at the weekend, because you’re trying to manage the players’ load,” Cowley said.
“We had a squad game on Monday, Taylor Miles got a hat-trick, Callum (Howe) was excellent, he’s really stepped up in terms of his leadership, and Jack Muldoon, Adam Marriott all did well alongside Harry Anderson as well.”
With a fully fit squad, Cowley thinks he could have a selection headache ahead of the top of the table clash.
He said: “There’s a few difficult decisions, quite a few players have their hands up, and of course they will as the team is on such a good run.”
“They’ve all got a right to play, but obviously we can only pick 11. We’re a team and nobody’s more important than the team.”
“The games are getting bigger and if we keep doing well, they’ll keep getting bigger and that’s what we want.”
Looking ahead to Tranmere, the Imps boss believes his side are as prepared as ever, as he went to watch them against York last Saturday.
Cowley believes their style has ‘changed slightly,’ but ‘you have to give them the credit for the run they’ve been on,’ as Rovers are currently 10 games unbeaten and could extend their lead at the top if they defeat the Imps.
Cowley continued: “Tranmere have fantastic players, football league quality players, and we know they can change the game in a moment.”
“We’ve had a good look at them and we’re clear where their strengths are, it’s a game we’re certainly looking forward to playing.”
The Imps face Rovers at Sincil Bank on Saturday, with kick-off at 15:00.