Lincoln City manager Michael Skubala has confirmed that winger Reeco Hackett has suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder during the 1-0 win over Oxford United.
The Imps travelled to the Kassam Stadium this evening knowing that only a win would give them a realistic shot of reaching the League One play-offs. Their opponents headed into the game sat in that all-important sixth spot and with a five point cushion over the East Midlands side. As a result, The U’s knew that three points here would almost guarantee an extension to their season.
Lincoln recorded a shock 2-1 defeat at the LNER Stadium on Saturday when Wigan Athletic snatched a late winner. It ended their 16-game unbeaten streak, although Oxford headed in tonight’s clash in a rich vein of form themselves. Des Buckingham’s men had hit 13 goals in their last three outings, culminating in a 5-0 win over Peterborough United at the weekend.
The game started as expected, with the visitors having to take the game to the hosts. However, they suffered an early setback when Reeco Hackett landed awkwardly after only seven minutes.
It was clear that the former Portsmouth attacker was in discomfort and Michael Skubala immediately readied a change, opting to bring on Dylan Duffy. The 26-year-old left the pitch in a sling and seemed to be struggling to hide the pain.
Following the game, the manager confirmed that Hackett had been taken to hospital with a suspected dislocated shoulder:
“We think he’s dislocated his shoulder,” Skubala told official club media. “He started like a house on fire, didn’t he? He was brilliant.”
“He got jinky in the middle of the pitch and then I think he’s landed on his shoulder. He’s gone straight to hospital, so I actually don’t know where we are. I just heard he’s probably dislocated his shoulder.”
Hackett has made 33 appearances in all competitions since joining from Pompey last summer on a three-year deal, scoring seven times.
Writer’s View
This is a major blow for Lincoln heading into what is now an exceptionally important last two games. Tonight’s win means they are now within two points of Oxford, who travel to Stevenage on Friday night. Should they drop points at the Lamex, the Imps could move into sixth with three points at Cheltenham Town on Saturday.
Hackett has been pivotal to the team’s success since the turn of the year. His return from injury in January coincided with their long unbeaten run and Skubala will be hoping that it is nothing too serious. However, should his shoulder be confirmed as dislocated, that is likely to be the end of his season.
