Michael Skubala believes it’s important that Lincoln City rebound from their loss in midweek, as the Imps head coach delivered a pre-Reading injury update.
He said: “I think it’s important that we can rebound. I think we’ve been playing well recently, I thought we played okay at Wigan and did well without the ball, needing to do better with it…the games before that I think we played quite well and at Cambridge we played really well.”
Skubala added: “On Tuesday, we were not quite where we wanted to be as a team, so I think it’s really important to bounce back.”
A 94th minute winner sunk Lincoln’s Bristol Street Motors Trophy hopes, as Accrington Stanley advanced in the rearranged tie.
Skubala said his players were disappointed and added: “I think we were all disappointed. Second half we were the better team and did enough to score a goal, but we didn’t quite get it over the line and I think we should’ve done more first half. I think they’re disappointed because they know a goal like that is a tough one to take, last kick of the game.”
“Difficult” Reading Test:
Reading sit 23rd in the SkyBet League One table, having suffered a four point deduction at the start of the season. However, Ruben Selles’ team may be on the cusp of a resurgent run.
Michael Skubala said: “It’s going to be really difficult, I think they’ve turned a corner with a good drew at Oxford, which is not easy. It just shows the competitiveness of this league, which is really excitement. You’ve got good teams every week.”
The former Leeds United under-21s boss is excited to return to the LNER Stadium, for what will be only his second home games since becoming Imps boss.
He said: “It seems like I spent most of the time on a bus going to away games to be honest, especially when you do two trips in a week to Accrington. I’m really looking forward to getting back on that home pitch. The lads are really looking forward to it, I think they feel it going away a lot, so they’re looking forward to a home game.”
Injury Update:
Lincoln City have been plagued by injuries all season, but their may be a glimpse of home for one of the plays on the injury list.
Skubala confirmed: “Reeco [Hackett] is back on the grass, which is good news, but he’s still quite a way off.”
Hackett is on the Imps’ long-term injury list, along with forwards Tyler Walker and Ben House, and defender Lewis Montsma.
Last week saw a crushing blow to Tyler Walker’s injury recovery, as he now looks likely to miss the remainder of the season.
The Imps head coach said that House and Montsma we’re being monitoring, but added that: “They’re still a way off at the moment.”
Skubala gave some positive news on Jaden Brown. Speaking to BBC Radio Lincolnshire, he said: “Jaden’s been training okay. He played 90 with the under-21s, he just needs more minutes, so we’re trying to get him more and more minutes.”
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