Lincoln City conclude their pre-season campaign at the LNER Stadium, against an Arsenal under-21s on Saturday afternoon.
Michael Skubala’s side will have a final 90 minutes to prepare themselves for the 2024/25 season against a young Arsenal side.
Pre-season So Far:
City’s men’s first team have played three public games this pre-season, against competitive opposition and did not concede a goal.
First was a contest against Sky Bet Championship side Preston North End, during a week-long camp out in Spain. City came out of that one 1-0 victors with an early Jovon Makama goal, the difference between the two outfits.
A trip to Boundary Park to face National League side Oldham Athletic saw more minutes put into the legs of the city players, during a goalless draw.
Most recently, Skubala’s side turned on the goals and placed four past Sky Bet League Two side Harrogate Town. The Irish duo of Dylan Duffy and Sean Roughan got themselves on the scoresheet, with striker Freddie Draper and new signing Rob Street getting his first goal in an Imps shirt, albeit not in a competitive game.
Also, they have beaten Walsall and Norwich City under-21s, and lost to Leeds United, behind closed doors.
Lincoln City’s New Signings:
The final friendly tie at Sincil Bank will give Michael Skubala’s new signings their first taste of what playing in front of the home faithful will be like for next season.
For those who need a recap, the new recruits are: returnee Conor McGrandles, striker Rob Street, goalkeeper Jamie Pardington, attacking midfielder Tom Bayliss, midfielder JJ McKiernan, another midfielder in Dom Jeffries, shot-stopper Zach Jeacock, wing-back Tendayi Darikwa, defender Tom Hamer, and ‘keeper George Wickens.
Injuries:
While the results have been mostly impressive and the minutes have been put into most of the players’ legs, there are still some injury concerns around the team. There’s a slight feeling of dejavu around the squad as most of the injury concerns seem to be in forward areas.
Forward Tyler Walker, who missed most of the 2023/24 season through injury, is set to miss the first part of the new campaign.
Fellow forward Reeco Hackett has also had his injury rehabilitations in pre-season, and will take longer than the rest of the squad to be filtered back into proceedings.
Striker Freddie Draper limped off during the friendly at Harrogate Town, with a potential knee issue.
Arsenal U21s:
As for the visitors, the young Gunners will get a lot out of playing against a football league outfit such as the Imps.
The under-21s side will compete in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, as will the Imps, so the friendly allows for their preparations for that tournament to be continued.
They are in Southern Group E and will play League Two sides in Milton Keynes Dons and Colchester United, as well as travelling to fellow League One side Leyton Orient during the 2024/25 season.
Played for Both:
Despite playing an academy side, there will still be a former Imp returning to the LNER Stadium. Defender Brooke Norton-Cuffy is part of the Arsenal under-21s setup and was loaned to the Imps during the 2022/23 season. He made 17 appearances for City, under former head coach Michael Appleton.
Open training session:
Following the final friendly, there will also be an open training session for city supporters to attend on Monday August 5. This will be a 90-minute session from 11:00-12:30pm.
That will conclude pre-season ahead of the new 2024/25 SkyBet League One season, which sees the Imps travel to Burton Albion on the opening day.
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