Lincoln City head coach Michael Skubala looks ahead to his side’s clash with Exeter City on Saturday, February 17, but deals an injury blow.
The Imps are unbeaten in their last six games, keeping three clean sheets along the way. Exeter come to the LNER Stadium on the back of a poor result after Derby County, but a good run of form before that.
More Injury Troubles:
It feels like a situation of the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away with Lincoln’s injury woes of late. Any bit of good news, like Reeco Hackett’s return and Ben House’s staggered re-introduction, is followed by a dint in the form of an injury to a key player.
Headline news is that Adam Jackson remains sidelined with the broken nose that kept him out of the trip to Charlton Athletic. Speaking to BBC Radio Lincolnshire, Skubala shed some more light on the centre-back’s injury timeline.
“Jacko has had a broken nose. So that is going to be a tough one. We don’t really know yet how long that could be. Worse case it could be six, seven weeks. Best case it could be two weeks with a mask. We just don’t know the situation, we’ve got to let Jacko breathe properly first before we can think about heading balls again,” he said.
In another blow, young striker Freddie Draper looks set to miss Exeter’s visit on Saturday, after taking a knock in the Charlton game.
The Imps boss said: “Freddie came into the game and did really well, but unfortunately just before half-time he got like a scissor tackle through his ankle again. So, I think Freddie is going to be struggling for a little time.”
He confirmed: “I think Freddie might be out for the weekend, but we’ll see on that.”
However, there is some good news for Lincoln fans. Ever-present midfielder Ethan Hamilton is on his way back from the injury that kept him out on Tuesday night.
“Ethan is back into the training today, so that’s good news. Whether or not he’ll be ready for Saturday we’ll see, but he’s not too far away at all,” Skubala said.
Squad Depth:
The added injury worries brings even more attention to squad depth, which the City head coach believes is crucial.
He said: “It’s really important. I think it was important that we got the right amount of numbers in [during January] because one of the biggest challenges is the amount of bodies that can get injured through Saturday, Tuesdays. So, having more depth to the squad is really important because we have quite a lean squad anyway.”
The former Leeds United under-21s boss peeled back the curtain on the atmosphere in the dressing room.
“This group has been brilliant throughout, I think they’re good everyday, they work hard everyday, and they knew that things would turn. And we believed things would turn as coaches. You’ve just got to keep to your processes and keep to your way of doing things,” Skubala said.
He added: “So far, so good for the last few games, but football turns quickly and we keep reminding the lads of that. Although we haven’t won at Charlton, like we wanted to do because we want to go there and win, we’ve got to look forward to the next game and go after Exeter at home.”
The visit of Exeter City:
Exeter sit just three points behind Lincoln in the League One table, with both teams sitting comfortably mid-table. Before a heavy loss to promotion-chasing Derby County on Tuesday, the Grecians had lost just one of their last six outings.
Skubala said: “Up until Tuesday they were coming with some great form. I think they’ll be coming to try and win the game as well, they’ve climbed the table now and they’re only three points behind us. So, I think it’ll be a game they will look to win, and it’s a game we look to win as well.”
“Hopefully we can dominate at home,” he added.
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