Lincoln City head coach Chris Cohen made three changes to his starting line-up for Saturday's Championship match against Swansea City at ProAmpac Stadium. The Imps, sitting 12th in the table with 11 points from eight games, recalled defender Andrei Coubiș, midfielder Tom Bayliss and forward Reeco Hackett from the side that won 1-0 at Bristol City on Tuesday.

Freddie Draper kept his place in attack after scoring the decisive goal in that midweek victory, his second in consecutive league games following his strike at Preston North End. The other changes saw Coubiș return to the defensive line, Bayliss restored in midfield and Hackett coming back into the starting eleven.

Cohen on selection balance

Chris Cohen explained the thinking behind the alterations. "As always, we’re trying to get the balance right around how we think we can hurt Swansea in the game, while also being aware of their obvious threats," he said.

The head coach also emphasised the importance of the squad's depth. "There are three changes after five on Tuesday, but as we know from all the games so far, the substitutes are going to be just as important as the starters," Cohen added. He highlighted the role of the supporters, noting their impact in the recent 1-1 draw with Southampton at home.

Lincoln's starting XI was: Wickens, Reach, Coubiș, Towler, Hackett, Bayliss, McGrandles, Bradley, House, Elerewe, Draper. The bench included Gauci, Ladefoged, Jefferies, Street, Varfolomeev, Konak, Ogbene, Wheatley and Oyegoke. The team was looking to improve on a recent run of form that had seen two wins, one draw and two losses in their last five outings.

Cohen noted the team's recent work on the training ground, stating the squad had accumulated 1,247 goal minutes in the Championship so far this season, a metric he believes reflects their attacking intent. The match represented a chance to close the six-point gap to Swansea, who led the Championship. Lincoln's next assignment, is a trip to face 17th-placed Sheffield United on 10 October.

Read the full report at Lincoln City Football Club