Lincoln City midfielder JJ McKiernan is set to join fellow League One side Burton Albion on loan until the end of the season, according to Football Insider.
The 22-year-old joined the Imps in July last year on a four-year deal after rejecting a contract extension at League Two strugglers Morecambe. Ironically, he made his competitive debut for his new club against Burton in August, starting in the centre of midfield in a 3-2 win.
He was named in the starting lineup for the defeat against Barnsley a week later but has not started a league game since. By the beginning of December, he had fallen out of Michael Skubala’s matchday squad altogether, with his last outing coming in the EFL Trophy in a 1-0 win over former club Morecambe on December 10th.
Lincoln Keen To Aid Development
According to the report, Lincoln are keen to allow McKiernan the opportunity to depart on loan this month in search of regular first team football. With the likes of Ben House, Jack Moylan and Tom Bayliss likely to fill the role at the top end of the midfield for the remainder of the campaign, opportunities will be limited. As such, the East Midlands-based side are willing to allow him a temporary move in order to continue his development.
It appears as if Burton have won the race for his signature, with Gary Bowyer keen to bolster his midfield options. The Brewers currently sit bottom of League One and look set to drop into League Two. They have won just one of their last 10 games and are 11 points behind 20th-placed Bristol Rovers.
Writer’s View
McKiernan looks a player who will be able to cut it at League One level, but he does need regular first team football. Lincoln obviously saw something in him to offer a four-year deal last summer and a move to a club fighting for their lives could be highly beneficial. Burton do look doomed and need to start picking up points quickly. Having a player with the ability of the attacking midfielder, who scored seven goals in 28 League Two appearances last season, should give them a boost at the top end of the pitch.
