Mitch Griffiths is set for a return to Ashby Avenue, very soon after he left Lincoln United.
The defender was one of the nine players who left The Whites when the club confirmed their retained list at the end of last season.
He left Lincoln to pursue a career in coaching, and subsequently stepped into the management team at Newark Town.
After United kicked off their season with a win at Wisbech Town, Scott Hellewell’s men welcome Griffiths and Newark to the Sun-hat Villas & Resorts Stadium.
Speaking to The Linc, Hellewell said: “I’ve spoke to Mitch a few times over pre-season, and it seemed straight away that he wanted to get into some sort of management.
“He’s gone in there as part of the management team, and I know a lot of the lads have spoke highly of him, he cleared up at the award’s ceremony.
Griffiths won both the manager’s and player’s player of the season awards, after making 45 appearances during a lengthy campaign.
Hellewell continued: “He’s obviously a good player… but it’s a little bit of a local derby for us and it’s always nice to have home games early on. It’s something to look forward to.”
Lincoln started the regular season with a 1-0 win at Wisbech Town, thanks to a dominant display and a Leo Priestley free-kick.
Before they can welcome Goole in a preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup, on Saturday, August 3, United host Newark Town.
Last season, Lincoln United beat Tuesday night’s opponents 4-1 in the league cup, and on penalties in the Isuzu FA Vase. However, The Whites will now do battle with their cross-border rivals in league action, following Newark’s promotion into the United Counties Premier Division.
Feature Image Credit: Ed Mayes Photography