Lincoln City travel to the Abbey Stadium on Tuesday (November 28) as they face Cambridge United in SkyBet League One action.
The Imps drew 2-2 with Barnsley on Saturday in Michael Skubala’s first home match since being named head coach. City come into this game sitting ninth in the table, with a win potentially jumping them into the play-off, depending on other results.
Opposition: Cambridge United
The home side currently sit 16th in the league, just four points ahead of Fleetwood, who occupy the last relegation spot.
Mark Bonner’s side haven’t won a league match in exactly one month (28th October), where they beat strugglers Carlisle by a single goal. The U’s last won a game at the start of November, beating Tottenham Hotspur U21’s 4-1 in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy.
They also won their first FA Cup game, beating Bracknell Town 2-1, and have drawn Fleetwood in the next round, to be played on Saturday, December 2.
Top scorer for Cambridge is currently Fejiri Okenabirhi, who has netted eight times in all competitions.
Team News:
Lasse Sorensen was substituted on Saturday with injury, which Skubala has said the club are assessing. “Others is as normal” said Skubala, regarding other players out through injury. These include Lewis Montsma and Ben House, who continue to treat their long-term injuries.
Tyler Walker continues to train with the first team, and could be seen on the bench in today’s game. If not, he may be rested until Lincoln’s next league game, which would be Saturday, December 9 away to Wigan Athletic.
Lincoln City captain Paudie O’Connor and star-midfielder Ethan Hamilton both return to action, after a three-match and one-match ban respectively. Ethan Erhahon remains one yellow card away from suspension.
Skubala said: “It’s great to get Paudie back. It’s making the squad more competitive. It’s great to see the skipper back.”
As for the home side, they are facing no injury troubles. However, defender Michael Morrison is at risk of suspension.
Played for Both:
Defender Stuart Bimson made his move down the A1 after a seven-year spell at Sincil Bank. He played 175 times from 1996-2003, before a two-year spell at Cambridge, playing 43 times.
Dean Walling is another player to have put on the shirt for both teams. Lincoln City signed Walling from Carlisle in 1997, for a then club-record fee of £75,000. With Walling in defence, Lincoln City earnt promotion to Division Two, before being relegated back to Division Three a year later.
He later made the move to Cambridge United, where he made 20 appearances in Division Two.
Head-to-Head:
The Imps have had more success between the two sides, wining 14, losing ten and drawing 16. The first meeting between these two was in 1970, with a 1-1 draw back in Division Four.
Last season, Cambridge won 2-0 at the Abbey, whilst they played out a goalless draw at the LNER Stadium. These sides have never met in a cup competition, with the 40 games between the sides all taking place in league action.