Lincoln City will be hoping for a return to winning ways as they travel to Nottinghamshire, facing rivals Mansfield Town on Tuesday night.
The Imps are currently sat 13th in the League One table, and have gone without a win in the four games since beating Peterborough United 5-1, last month.
Opposition: Mansfield Town
Nigel Clough’s side are two places and two points behind Lincoln, with a game in hand.
The Stags are winless in eight games across all competitions, failing to win since they defeated Stockport County 2-1 away from home on January 4. They had lost seven games in a row before securing a point last time out against the division’s draw specialists, Blackpool.
The squad is packed with seasoned EFL pros, many with experience in the Championship – including January signing Jordan Rhodes, Lee Gregory, Aden Flint and Stephen Quinn.
Team News:
Dom Jefferies has a minor hip issue and requires a late fitness test, so could miss out despite Michael Skubala branding his performance against Leyton Orient “excellent”.
Tom Hamer is back in full training, but the Imps head coach notes that he is still a bit off returning to matchday squads.
Joe Gardner remains suspended following his dismissal against Cambridge United.
Lewis Montsma is being managed for the long term, said Skubala, so he will will likely not feature in Nottinghamshire.
However, Tendayi Darikwa is likely to return after missing Saturday’s trip to Leyton Orient for the birth of his daughter.
Jack Moylan, Bailey Cadamarteri, Ethan Erhahon and Tyler Walker are all still unavailable through injury.
Head-to-Head:
City came out 4-1 victors when the two sides met at the LNER Stadium earlier this season, with goals being scored by Sean Roughan, Ben House and an unlikely brace from Adam Jackson.
The last time that the Imps travelled to the One Call Stadium in league action was in March 2019, when both sides were in League Two. The points were shared that day in a 1-1 draw.
Heading into this one, the Imps are undefeated in their last four meetings with the Stags.
Played for Both: Sam Clucas
Lincoln-born Sam Clucas made his first appearance since his return to LN5 on Saturday against Leyton Orient. This was Clucas’ second ever appearance for his hometown club, the first coming in September 2009 in a defeat to Darlington in the EFL Trophy.
Following his release by City in the summer of 2010, and stints at Jerez Industrial and Hereford Town, Clucas joined Mansfield Town in June 2013.
49 games for the Stags followed, before moves to Chesterfield, Hull City, Swansea City, Stoke City, Rotherham United, Oldham Athletic, before returning to Sincil Bank last month.