Lincoln City face Leyton Orient this weekend aiming to extend their unbeaten run since mid-August, but injuries to key players continue to test Michael Skubala’s squad depth.

Lincoln City’s Injury Woes Ahead of Leyton Orient Clash

Lincoln City head into their weekend fixture against Leyton Orient sitting fourth in the league and hoping to maintain momentum before the international break. Following a 1-1 draw at Blackpool, the Imps will be eager for a home victory to keep pressure on the top three. However, they’ll be without several key players, including Adam Jackson, who is suspended after receiving a red card in the Blackpool match.

The Imps have been plagued by injuries in recent weeks, with as many as six players missing for the Blackpool fixture. Ben House, Dylan Duffy, Zach Jeacock, Reeco Hackett, Ethan Hamilton, and Tyler Walker have all been sidelined recently, although there’s a glimmer of hope that some could return for this weekend’s game. Head coach Michael Skubala confirmed that Hackett and Hamilton, both long-term absentees, are back in training and could feature soon.

In particular, Ben House, who has been recovering from a broken nose and concussion, remains out for this weekend. Skubala explained, in quotes transcribed by The Real EFL, “There’s two issues, the broken nose and concussion. He’s going through protocols at the minute, so he’ll be out this weekend – it’s a bit too early, we think.”

Injury Updates Provide Some Optimism for the Imps

On a more positive note, midfielder Ethan Hamilton, who has been out of action since February, is nearing a return. Hamilton, a summer signing from Accrington Stanley, has been a significant absence for Lincoln. Skubala expressed optimism about his recovery, saying, “He’s been on the grass the last couple of weeks, looking good. He’s in contention for selection this weekend. He can’t do 90, but he could potentially make the bench.”

Reeco Hackett, another key player for Lincoln, is also back in training after missing the start of the season. Skubala hinted that Hackett could return either this weekend or in Tuesday’s match, depending on his fitness level. The Imps are also monitoring goalkeeper Zach Jeacock’s recovery after a concussion from a recent car accident. Jeacock, who impressed with a clean sheet against Wigan earlier this season, is progressing well through concussion protocols but is unlikely to feature this weekend.

Our View

Injuries continue to be a significant challenge for Lincoln City as they prepare to face Leyton Orient. The absence of key striker Ben House, due to his recovery from a broken nose and concussion, highlights the importance of prioritizing player health over immediate returns to action. With House sidelined, Lincoln will need to rely on their other attacking options, which may be stretched thin, particularly with several other players still on the mend.

On the positive side, the potential return of Ethan Hamilton and Reeco Hackett provides hope for the Imps. Hamilton, although not fully match fit, could offer valuable minutes off the bench, while Hackett’s recovery adds versatility to Lincoln’s lineup. Both players’ returns come at a critical time as Lincoln looks to maintain their position near the top of the table. As Leyton Orient visit, it will be interesting to see how Michael Skubala manages his squad amidst these challenges, especially with an important clash against Grimsby Town looming in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy.

Despite the injury concerns, Lincoln will be keen to extend their unbeaten run and build momentum before heading into the international break, where they hope to recover key players and strengthen their position in the league.