Lincoln City face a tight deadline to finalise their 25-man Championship squad for the 2026/27 season. The Imps must submit their official list to the EFL by 11 pm on Wednesday, September 2, just one day after the summer transfer window shuts. This critical administrative task will define which senior players are eligible for league matches until the registration period reopens in January. The club's proposed squad leaves minimal flexibility for last-minute business.
The EFL mandates a maximum of 25 registered players for Championship clubs. At least eight of those players must qualify as homegrown. A key nuance is that Under-21 players do not count towards this limit, providing clubs with valuable flexibility for youth development. However, there is a significant exception for loanees. Under-21 players signed on loan, such as Mason Melia and Yunus Konak at Lincoln City, must be included in the senior 25-player list. This rule directly impacts squad planning and limits the number of senior loanees a club can accommodate.
The proposed list includes a mix of new signings and established players. Goalkeeper George Wickens is listed as number one, with fellow shot-stopper Joe Gauci at 25. The outfield roster features defenders like Tendayi Darikwa, Adam Jackson, and Sonny Bradley, alongside midfielders Tom Bayliss and Conor McGrandles. Attackers Ben House, Tanto Olaofe, and Freddie Draper provide the firepower. One notable inclusion is Mikkel Ladefoged, who is widely expected to complete a permanent move to the club but is not yet officially signed. His place on the list signals the club's confidence in finalising the deal.
Two senior players are conspicuously absent from the proposed 25. Goalkeeper Jamie Pardington is omitted and could now seek a loan move to secure playing time. Striker James Collins is also left off, as he is unlikely to be fit before Christmas due to injury. Their exclusion creates two potential squad spaces, but one is likely reserved for Ladefoged. The situation around defender Adam Jackson adds another layer. If Jackson were to leave the club before the deadline, it could open a pathway for Pardington to be reinstated to the squad. The overall picture is described as having "very little wiggle room."
With the squad so tight, Lincoln City's activity in the final days of the window appears limited. The club is not actively looking to move players on unless a substantial bid arrives for someone. This means the proposed 25 players are likely to represent the Imps for the next several months, at least until the winter window opens on January 1, 2027. The immediate focus now shifts to the pitch, with a home Championship fixture against Blackburn Rovers scheduled for Tuesday, September 1. Fans can track the team's upcoming schedule on our fixtures page and view the full roster on our squad section. The condensed timeline means decisions made this week will shape the team's options for a key period of the season.
