Lincoln City head coach Michael Skubala hints at a potential deadline day signing for the Imps, bringing some more experience into the club.
He said: “I think we have done all our outs, so that is pretty straight forward. I think we are really close to getting what we want. It’s taken a bit of time. Hopefully we will get that done today.”
Speaking ahead of his side’s trip to Burton Albion on Saturday, Skubala continued: “If we get what we want over the line, the bit of experience that I wanted, I think that’s good, and any additional that come in late, that we are keeping an eye on that the staff behind the scenes, are still looking at additional players. I think if we get that one over the line, which is looking promising, I’ll be really happy.”
The Imps head coach seemed pleased with the squad he has at his disposal.
“I’m really happy with the group. They are in a good place. It’s the strongest I have seen it since I have been in, in terms of availability with everyone that we have got. You never know what is going to happen in the last few hours of the window, because everyone now starts to move,” he said.
Team News:
Skubala welcomes back captain Paudie O’Connor back from suspension, giving him decisions to make.
He said: “It’s a difficult decision for me. Paudie is a great leader, he’s done well, obviously he has been out for a while because of his sending off. But I have been very impressed with all the defenders. It’s a really nice problem to have, with five of our centre-halves all chomping at the bit to get in.”
Lincoln are without a win in ten games as they head to the Pirelli Stadium, but draws in their last three has left them with an unbeaten streak.
The Burton fixture welcomes the anticipated return of last season’s top scorer Ben House from a long-term injury. Skubala is wary of easing the striker back into action.
He said: “He will be available for selection. It will be a decision whether we want to do that this weekend or next weekend. Even if he is, he is not going to be available for full minutes. And with the extent of his injury, we don’t want to risk too much too soon, so that one is more of a slow burner. He is available for some minutes.”
“Ben is a really level character. He is really calm and a great pro. With those types of characters, they know it might take them a bit of time. We have seen the quality he brings in the last week of training,” Skubala added.
The head coach is relieved his side are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel after their injury crisis.
He said: “The great thing now is that we have options on the front line. We have good quality options all over the pitch. It’s a good and exciting time.”
As for Teddy Bishop, he went off injured last week against Peterborough, and the news is not as healthy.
The Imps boss said: “We are not 100% sure about Teddy yet. Its a bit of a back injury, but we will also see how he gets on. We got a bit of waiting time on that one.”
Looking ahead to Burton:
The Imps head coach is wary that his side needs to perform well to stretch their unbeaten run to four games.
He said: “[Burton] look energetic, and they look lively. Their results recently show that, and their performances show that. We are under no illusions here that some good performances have got us draws but not wins, and Burton is going to be as tough a game.
“Going away there it’s not going to be the best pitch, it’s tight. Our last four results against them haven’t been good. We are looking to hopefully cause some damage against them and nullify their strengths really.”
“We feel we have to be professional. We have got to be good. We have got to be really on it, really professional to beat Burton. On our day we can perform and create chances and now it’s about turning those draws into wins.”
Skubala recognised the hectic timetable that he faced when he entered the club is no more and is now looking for more stability after the January transfer window and busy Christmas period.
He said: “When I first came in, it was Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday. Then we hit the Christmas period, and it was just a normal English footballing Christmas. It feels like now we have been able to get some work done, adding Chris to the staff team, so I think we are in a really good place at the moment.”
Lincoln will be hoping for a first win since November as they travel south for their first game of a new month, while one eye remains on deadline day.