Lincoln City will be looking to make it back-to-back wins for the first time this season, as they face Stevenage in SkyBet League One on Saturday.
The Imps returned to winning ways last time out as they comfortably dispatched local rivals Mansfield Town 4-1. An Adam Jackson brace, as well as goals from Ben House and Sean Roughan, were enough for all three points.
Michael Skubala now returns to the ground where his tenure as City boss began back in November 2023. A Jamie Reid winner saw Boro run out 1-0 winners that day.
Opposition – Stevenage:
Stevenage came into the new campaign with an air of uncertainty hanging over the club. Former boss Steve Evans left the Hertfordshire-based outfit with just three games remaining of last season, once it was confirmed they would not make the League One play-offs.
Former striker and manager Alex Revell took charge of the team for his second spell as boss in the summer and has brought a level of calm thus far, winning once, drawing once and losing once in their opening three games.
Former Tottenham midfielder Harvey White looks a new player under Revell’s management, and has been a standout for Boro early on this season. His set-pieces will likely cause The Imps defence trouble if they are not alert throughout.
Team News:
Ethan Hamilton and Reeco Hackett remain a long way from full fitness as they recover from long term injuries sustained last season.
Last week’s new wing-back signing Erik Ring will also have to wait for his Imps debut as his work permit is still yet to be approved. The 22-year-old signed a four-year deal after arriving from AIK Stockholm.
Latest, and likely last of the window, signing Bailey Cadamarteri joined the club on a season-long loan from Sheffield Wednesday this week. The 19-year-old will be a likely substitute as he looks to work his way into Michael Skubala’s plans.
Irishman Sean Roughan will make his 100th Lincoln City appearance if he features this weekend.
For Stevenage Jake Forster-Caskey remains out in midfield but most notably star striker Jamie Reid is still yet to return to action following an issue picked up in pre-season.
Head-to-Head:
This is still a relatively new matchup, with the two sides only having faced one another nine times. Lincoln won the first meeting in the 1998 FA Cup 4-1, but lost the first two league meeting in 2010/11’s League Two.
Skubala’s first game in charge, last season, is City’s only loss in their last six league meetings with Boro, an impressive record they will be hopeful of adding to this weekend.
Taking just one point, though, from an eventual play-off rival in 2023/24 is a return the Imps will want to improve if they are to be serious top six challengers this term.
Played for Both:
Jordan Roberts is the only member of either squad to have played for both clubs. The attacking midfielder made five appearances for the Imps in the 2018/19 season before moving on. He has been a key component in the recent Stevenage success.
Midfielder Tom Pett is also another who has contributed to the recent history of both clubs. The now Cheltenham midfielder played nearly 200 games for Boro, in two spells separated by a stint in Lincolnshire in which he was part of the 2019 promotion winning team.
Easily the most recognisable name though to have adorned both crests is Michael Bostwick. The veteran midfielder and defender racked up over 300 games for both clubs combined.
Follow LincSport on Twitter/X for live coverage of Lincoln City’s trip to Stevenage.