Lincoln City Forward Reveals His Immediate Plans For Loan Spell

Lincoln City forward Freddie Draper is eager to score his first goal in the EFL, reports the Express & Star.

The 19-year-old is impressing in League Two with Walsall, notching two assists in as many games for the Saddlers since his move to the Bescot Stadium this summer.

He endured a frustrating wait to get going in the West Midlands, as he was suspended for defeats against Morecambe and Blackburn Rovers after picking up a red card in his final appearance whilst on loan at Drogheda United in June.

But after supplying his team-mates in Walsall’s previous two fixtures, the former Derby County youth player is keen to get on the scoresheet himself.

The talented young forward is yet to get off the mark in the Football League, after appearing eight times for the Imps in the 2021/22 season amidst an injury crisis at the League One club, having also spent a loan spell in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, the seventh-tier of English football, that same season.

He has netted once in the EFL Trophy for his parent club, however, the 19-year-old earned the acclaim of many for his temporary spell in the League of Ireland, where he found the back of the net on eight occasions and chipped in with three assists in 22 appearances.

Highly thought of in Lincolnshire, the academy graduate signed a new long-term contract ahead of his move away this window.

What’s been said?

Draper said: “I was just sitting and waiting. It was a horrible feeling because I wanted to play the first game.

“I made sure that I kept myself and when called upon I’ll always be ready.

“As a striker I set myself to score a lot of goals and to improve.

“I want to be helpful in all kinds of ways, but I really want my first goal.”

Writer’s View

I’m sure that the eagerly anticipated first goal is not too far away for Draper, who has had a real impact in the fourth-tier so far this season.

He is one I expect to see around the Lincoln City first team next season, and appears to be ahead of fellow young striker Charley Kendall in the pecking order to provide back up to Tyler Walker and Ben House, with the 22-year-old currently out on loan in the National League with Dagenham & Redbridge.

Despite being young, Draper has the physical stature and temperament to mix it in the men’s game, and it is no surprise that he is once again earning rave reviews whilst out on loan.