Lincoln City forward Tyler Walker has joined National League side Wealdstone on loan until the end of the season.
Walker, who arrived at the LNER Stadium on a free transfer in the summer of 2023, has endured a torrid time with injuries, limiting his impact in Lincoln colours. The 28-year-old was previously a fan favourite during a prolific loan spell in the 2019/20 season but has struggled to replicate that form due to persistent fitness setbacks.
Fresh start at Wealdstone
With his Lincoln career effectively over, Walker will now aim to get his career back on track with Wealdstone. The National League side are currently battling relegation but have games in hand over their rivals, including Dagenham & Redbridge and AFC Fylde.
If the forward can regain fitness and form, he could provide a much-needed boost to the Stones in their fight for survival. His previous spells at Mansfield and Lincoln demonstrated his ability when fully fit, and Wealdstone will be hoping he can finally enjoy an uninterrupted run of games.
Tyler Walker Career
Walker began his professional career at Nottingham Forest, making his debut in 2015 and scoring his first goal soon after. He showed promise early on but was sent on multiple loan spells to gain experience. In the 2015–16 season, he played briefly for Forest before joining Burton Albion, where he scored once in six appearances. The following season, injuries limited his chances at Forest, leading to loan moves to Stevenage and Port Vale, where he showed glimpses of his talent but struggled with fitness.
Walker had a breakthrough season in 2018–19 with Mansfield Town, scoring regularly and earning a place in League Two’s PFA Team of the Year. A strong start at Lincoln in 2019–20 saw him net 16 goals in 34 appearances before being recalled to Forest. However, he struggled for game time and was eventually sold to Coventry City in 2020.
At Coventry, injuries hampered his progress, and he was loaned to Portsmouth in 2022, where he managed just one goal. His time at Portsmouth was widely seen as a disappointment, and he returned to Coventry but suffered an ACL injury in 2022. After limited appearances in 2022–23, he was released upon the expiration of his contract.
Writer’s view
Few players have endured as much bad luck with injuries as Tyler Walker in recent years. His return to Lincoln promised so much but was ultimately defined by setbacks and false dawns.
A move to Wealdstone offers him a final opportunity to prove he can stay fit and deliver on his talent. If he does, the National League side may have secured a key asset for their survival push.
