Imps linked with Macclesfield midfielder

The Imps have been linked with a move for former Sheffield United youth team player Kingsley James (25).

News appeared last night on the HITC website suggesting we are in the hunt for the out of contract player, who spent last season at Macclesfield Town. If the story is to be believed, Macc want to keep the player, but our management see him as a useful addition to the squad.

How much validity can we put in the rumour? There are bound to be lots of similar rumours flashed around this summer, and my own thought would be that we’d be looking for out of contract players from higher up the football spectrum. After all, James isn’t the advanced midfielder we possibly need, he plays more of an Alex Woodyard role, and in Alex Woodyard we have the best there is in any of the lower leagues.

James has little Football League experience, just a handful of outings over an injury-hit two-year spell at Port Vale. Since dropping into the non-league he has fared much better, his best football being played over the last two seasons. He played 46 games for Halifax last season as they were relegated before signing a one-year deal at Macclesfield. He has had another good season at Moss Rose, making 38 appearances and scoring 5 goals, including one against us in August.

He has represented England at ‘C’ international level on four occasions, scoring once against Estonia in 2014.

Despite being billed as a midfielder he does offer options across the back as well. I’m inclined to believe this is more of a click bait story from the HTC website though, I’m not sure James would add value to the side in its present state. However, as we don’t know the retained list as yet it is hard to comment.