Lincoln City manager Michael Skubala will be forced to adjust his defensive setup after captain Paudie O’Connor picked up a two-match suspension.
The influential defender’s booking in the recent defeat to Burton Albion means he will miss upcoming fixtures against Barnsley and Crawley Town.
Defensive Dilemma for Skubala
O’Connor has been an ever-present figure in Lincoln’s backline this season, making his absence a significant blow for Skubala’s side. With injuries already stretching the squad, the Imps boss now faces a selection challenge as he prepares his team for the upcoming games.
“I think he’s been ever-present and probably the standout consistent one in the team in his role,” Skubala said. “So it’s a big blow because I think we’ll miss him for two games.”
Despite the setback, Skubala remains optimistic about his available options. He confirmed that Lewis Montsma is ready to step in, while Tom Hamer has returned to training and featured in a behind-closed-doors match.
“Lewis is chomping at the bit, ready to come in, and we’ve had Tom Hamer back this week. He’s done 45 minutes behind closed doors. So we’ve got other guys to come in, step up, and take the opportunity to perform.”
Discipline a Concern for Lincoln
Disciplinary issues have been a recurring problem for Lincoln this season, with several key players receiving suspensions. O’Connor’s absence follows Ethan Erhahon’s red card against Bolton, while forward Ben House is also walking a disciplinary tightrope.
Skubala admitted that managing players’ tempers and avoiding unnecessary bookings has been a topic of discussion within the squad.
“All the time we speak to him [House]. Sometimes we can be better in those situations and not get easy cards, but actually, the last few games, I think Ben House has controlled himself really well in those moments.”
With O’Connor unavailable, Adam Jackson is expected to move into the centre of defence, with Montsma and Sean Roughan providing support. The decision on whether Montsma plays twice in a week or if Hamer steps in against Crawley will depend on fitness and form.
Injury Woes Continue
Lincoln will also be without key players Jack Moylan and Erhahon, both sidelined with injuries, while striker Tyler Walker is not expected to feature again this season. However, there is a glimmer of hope in attack, with top scorer Bailey Cadamarteri hopefully returning to the squad after a spell on the sidelines.
Writer’s View
O’Connor’s suspension comes at a challenging time for Lincoln, who are already dealing with a stretched squad. While Skubala has options in defence, losing a leader at this stage of the season is far from ideal. The return of Cadamarteri could provide a much-needed boost, but Lincoln must remain disciplined if they are to avoid further setbacks in their promotion push.
