Lincoln City face West Ham at Sincil Bank on Wednesday evening aiming to halt a run of two consecutive defeats. The Imps head into the Championship clash after a 3-0 loss at Sheffield United last Saturday left them 16th in the table with 11 points from nine games.
Their recent form has been mixed, with two wins and two losses from their last four league outings. Before the defeat at Bramall Lane, they lost 2-1 at home to Swansea City. Victories over Bristol City and Preston North End in September provided a brief upturn.
West Ham arrive with their own inconsistent results, drawing their last two league games 1-1 with QPR and 2-2 at Millwall. They were also knocked out of the League Cup by Fulham last month.
Expected lineups
Lincoln are likely to stick with the 3-4-2-1 shape used against Sheffield United. That would see Wickens in goal behind a back three of Elerewe, Bradley and Rarmani Edmonds-Green. Jefferies and Reach could operate as wing-backs, with Bayliss and McGrandles in central midfield. Draper may lead the line, supported by Reeco Hackett-Fairchild and House.
West Ham’s last starting eleven featured a 4-2-3-1 formation with Hermansen in goal. Their defence included Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Kilman and Morato, shielding a midfield pivot of Soucek and Amadou Onana.
Wednesday’s match kicks off at 20:00 and is the tenth game of the Championship season.
Lincoln City manager Tom Shaw confirmed Reeco Hackett is in the final stages of concussion protocol and could be available for selection against West Ham. Shaw also said defender Andrei Coubiș has a slight knee issue but it is not a concern. The club, now 17th with 11 points, have lost their last two matches. West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo said, "It’s going to be a very tough match. Lincoln are very good at what they do."
