Lincoln City will look to finish strong in Sky Bet League One as they prepare to play two teams battling for promotion across Easter weekend.
Michael Skubala’s side will travel to Reading on Good Friday, then face a quick turnover to host Bolton Wanderers on Easter Monday at the LNER Stadium.
The Imps are unbeaten in their last three games, most recently drawing 1-1 with bottom of the table Shrewsbury Town, Tom Bayliss scoring their only goal against his former side.
The draw did extend their unbeaten home run to five games, winning three and drawing two since their 1-0 loss to Burton Albion in February.
Opposition: Reading (A) – April 18
The first of the two games is a trip to the Select Car Leasing Stadium, where Lincoln will clash against sixth placed Reading.
The Royals are now managed by Noel Hunt who got promoted from managing the under-21s after Ruben Selles left the club in December after agreeing terms with championship side Hull City.
Reading have won three of their last five games in League One, most impressively beating third place Wycombe Wanderers 1-0, Harvey Knibbs scoring from the spot to win the game.
Hunt’s side have not lost a home game since January 18 and will be hoping this impressive unbeaten run continues against Lincoln as they look to remain within the playoff places.
Opposition: Bolton Wanderers (H) – April 21
It is another crucial game just three days later for Lincoln, as they look to extend their unbeaten Easter Monday run to six games with a return home to host Bolton.
Like Reading, Wanderers also underwent a managerial change halfway through the season, Ian Evatt’s five year stay at the club being ended in January after a poor run of form.
Steven Schumacher was hired as Evatt’s replacement and will now be looking to recover from a run that’s seen them pickup back-to-back losses against Rotherham United and Barnsley.
The Trotters have scored just four goals in their last six games, the teams top goalscorer Aaron Collins netting three of them. An improvement in goalscoring is clearly needed from them if they are to finish inside the play-off positions this term.
Despite a poor run, Wanderers sit in eight place, just one point off Reading in sixth, every game now being crucial as they chase the play-offs going into the final four games of the season.
It is also worth noting that the Imps have lost six of their last seven league games against Bolton, failing to score in five of those matches.
Team News:
Skubala revealed that Sam Clucas is training really well and ready for selection despite being left out of the match squad for the last few games.
Ethan Erhahon is unlikely to start on Friday despite returning to the pitch against Shrewsbury, Skubala calling for no risks to be taken.
Conor McGrandles suffered a tightness in Lincoln’s last game, however is already back in training.
Skubala also confirmed that Jack Moylan is back into full team training, while he said the Imps would not risk rushing Jovon Makama back after his hamstring injury.
Dom Jeffries will also remain out until the end of the season.