Imps’ head coach Mark Kennedy has handed fans a boost ahead of this weekend’s fixture with Burton Albion, by confirming a key duo as being fit for action.
In recent weeks, star striker Ben House and exciting defender Sean Roughan have both been missing, leaving the Imps short in key areas. Indeed, for the EFL Trophy game with Accrington, we were without a recognised left back, whilst House’s absence has been felt up front.
Mark rated both as ‘fine’ in today’s press conference, hopefully signalling their involvement at some stage on Saturday. Ben House is likely to go straight back into the starting XI, whilst Sean Roughan may have to wrestle the left-back position from loan signing Harry Boyes.
One player is doubtful for the game, Joe Walsh. He’s been missing for a couple of weeks, but with the shift to a back four recently, it’s an injury we can soak up, with Eyoma, Poole, Jackson and O’Connor all able to fill in, along with the returning Roughan. With Lewis Montsma closing in on a return after being involved in a friendly against Huddersfield this week, things are beginning to look up for the Imps.
Matty Virtue is a longer-term absentee, and Mark doesn’t expect any fresh signings before Saturday, meaning a likely 4-3-3 or variation thereof, as we look to protect Max Sanders and Lasse Sorensen in midfield. It was a formation we saw at Milton Keynes, and whilst we had control of the game in terms of chances conceded, we struggled to create. However, with House returning, Mide Shodipo a likely starter, and Danny Mandroiu playing behind, our attack does have a stronger feel, rather than the toothless tiger we saw away at Charlton.
The Imps have a decent record against Burton, if not in recent fixtures. They beat us twice in 2022, including the miserable trip there on Boxing Day, but prior to that, the Imps won five out of five fixtures, scoring 15 goals. There have been two goals or more in eight of our 11 meetings with the Brewers, and as long as we’re on the right side of the result, that would be a nice tonic after a challenging few weeks for the Imps.
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