After seeing off Accrington, we welcome Lincoln to the SOL. I was joined by Lincoln City fan Ben Ward to preview the game, here's what he had to say...
INJURY WOES
"We've had some terrible luck with injuries recently. Joe Walsh, our first-choice centre-back, our club captain Liam Bridcutt and Jorge Grant are all out and Adam Jackson appears to be playing at only fifty percent It's easy to blame the injuries but we've just not been gelling and there's been quite a few dips in form; maybe people think they already have their spot? I wish I could tell you where it all went wrong.”
RECENT FORM
"Honestly, going off our recent games there hasn't been much to shout about. We looked relatively good going forward against Gillingham. To be honest, if I'd been told we'd finish in the play-offs at the start of the season I'd have laughed at you. I don't think anyone expected us to do this well."
DANGER MAN
"Morgan Rogers is the man to watch at the moment. He gets criticised for not tracking back or doing defensive work, but he scored a great goal against Rochdale, I even said on our matchday live it was Messi standard! We've really missed Liam Bridcutt in the side but he's on his way back now. I don't want to be negative but if we play how we have been I can't see us getting anything. If we get the response we need to, we might get a draw. I'll predict 2-0 to Sunderland."
INJURY UPDATE FROM JAMIE MCALLISTER
"Denver Hume is ticking off the training sessions and it's great for us that he's back. He's looking good, looking strong. He has been out for a while though and he does need games. So,
it's whether he does that through in-house games, which we're trying to arrange for next week, or whether he plays some minutes against Crystal Palace for the U23s next week. That's another option and we're looking at all of that at the moment. It's just case of topping up and keeping him injury free because he will be a big bonus for us when he comes back. Aiden O'Brien is closer than Jordan and Bailey. Those two are probably in the same category. They've both done a good bike session today, they've been doing a lot of pool work and strengthening work. They're not back on the grass yet."
SELECTION
Replacing the recently improved Callum McFadzean, Jake Vokins looked the most assured he’s been since joining the club at Accrington. After Ross Stewart scored the winner to impress on his debut, should the Scotsman make his way into the starting eleven? Or is she still short of match fitness?
PREDICTION
After an impressive beginning to the campaign, Lincoln have suffered defeats such as 4-3 to Plymouth Argyle, 2-1 to Fleetwood Town, 2-1 to Rochdale and (most recently) 3-0 to Gillingham. With the wheels appearing to fall off, this has got to be a good time to play the Imps. We have won nine out of our previous ten games in all competitions, including a penalty victory over Saturday's opponents, so I'm confident going into this one. l predict a 2-0 Sunderland victory.
