Lincoln City will travel to Barnsley tonight as they hope to end their Vertu Trophy group stage campaign with a 100 percent winning record.
Last week’s Manchester United Under 21’s victory over Notts County confirmed City’s progression to the Round of 32.
However, before that, the Imps must bounce back to winning ways following a run of just one victory in their last six games.
Despite that, Michael Skubala’s side still find themselves in sixth place in Sky Bet League One, just three points off table-toppers Stockport County.
Opponents: Barnsley
Standing in their way of a return to winning ways is a Barnsley side that have lost just one of their last six and currently sit 11th in League One.
That loss came in a South Yorkshire derby against Rotherham United, who defeated the Imps 3-0 over the weekend.
Most recently however, the Tykes found victory away to Doncaster Rovers as youngster Vimal Yoganathan had a first half opener cancelled out by Luke Molynuex before the break.
Conor Hourihane’s side then sealed the victory in the second half when substitute and top goalscorer Davis Keillor-Dunn found the winning goal.
Team News:
Lincoln City head coach Michael Skubala has often been keen to rotate his side in this tournament after he made 11 and nine changes respectively in the two games so far this campaign.
Given the sides progression in the tournament, it is already confirmed the Imps will most likely continue that theme, especially as captain Tendayi Darikwa returns from suspension.
Skubala said “There’s a few lads that this next game could be quite good to see them in and we’ve got a few knocks from Saturday.”
Reeco Hackett and Ben House are both expected to miss out but Dom Jeffries, Jack Moylan and Oisin Gallagher could all feature.
On their return, Skubala said: “It’s great that we can see them, it’s good for the fans but the problem with that is there’s then probably some enforced changes in the game
“I might have to make some changes that aren’t natural but it’s still important that we win the game, we want to go through top.
Head-to-head:
The South Yorkshire side have tended to have the better of this affair winning it on 35 occasions including the two most recent clashes.
Last time out, the Imps fell to a 4-3 defeat away from home in March despite going 3-0 down within the hour.
Keillor-Dunn and Adam Phillips put the Tykes 2-0 up at the break before that lead was extended 57 minutes in.
Max Watters found a fourth for the hosts after Darikwa had pulled one back for the visitors before Reeco Hackett and Jovon Makama found two consolation goals.
The Imps have won this clash 26 times with the spoils being shared on 16 occasions.
Played for both:
Two current Imps have lined up for the Tykes in the past in Adam Jackson, who spent three years in South Yorkshire.
As well as Dexter Lembikisa who spent last season on loan at Oakwell and made 12 appearances as Barnsley finished in 12th place.
Jackson on the other hand, signed for what was then Paul Heckingbottom’s side in 2016-17 and made 34 appearances across three seasons with two years in the Championship.