Lincoln City name squad for return to ProAmpac vs Portsmouth

Squad Selection

Lincoln City have announced their starting line-up for the Sky Bet Championship home match against Portsmouth, the club’s first fixture at the ProAmpac Stadium since April. The Imps will be led by goalkeeper Wickens, with a back-line of Darikwa, Reach, Hackett, McGrandles, Jefferies, House, Hamer, Varfolomeev, Elerewe and Draper. The only change from the side that faced Middlesbrough last weekend is the inclusion of Reeco Hackett in the starting XI, with Ryley Towler dropping to the bench.

Key Changes

The most noticeable shift is the replacement of Ryley Towler by Reeco Hackett in the starting lineup. Towler will remain on the bench alongside Bayliss, Melia, Street, Olaofe, Elder and the newly signed Yunus Konak. The squad also features substitutes Gauci, Coubiș, Towler, Bayliss, Melia, Street, Olaofe, Elder and Konak, giving the manager a broad range of options for the match.

New Signing

Yunus Konak, the club’s most recent acquisition, is listed among the substitutes for the first time. While he has yet to make a competitive appearance, his inclusion in the squad signals that the manager is ready to integrate him into the team’s plans for the upcoming fixtures.

Return to the ProAmpac

The Imps will return to the ProAmpac Stadium for the first time since April, with a “bumper crowd” expected to welcome the club back to the second tier for the first time in 65 years. The match against Portsmouth will be the club’s first Sky Bet Championship home fixture of the season, and the squad selection reflects a balance between experience and fresh talent.

Match Context

Portsmouth will be the opposition in a fixture that promises to be a high-energy encounter. With the Imps looking to secure a positive result in front of a passionate home crowd, the manager has opted for a lineup that includes seasoned players such as Tom Shaw and Chris Cohen, while also giving a chance to the new signing Konak.

Looking Ahead

The squad announcement suggests that the manager is confident in the core group of players, with the only significant change being the promotion of Hackett to the starting XI. The inclusion of Konak among the substitutes indicates a willingness to test new talent in the Championship environment. The Imps will aim to build momentum from this home fixture and establish themselves as a competitive side in the league.