The Imps travel to Morecambe this evening for a knockout game in the Vertu Trophy against Morecambe, and it’ll be another chance to see Oisin Gallagher in action.
Oisin is one of the club’s best-kept secrets, with City having to go to FIFA for special permission to sign him from Derry City in 2021. Since then he’s been used sparingly in the first team, with loan spells at Barwell, Drogheda and Peterborough Sports.
Peterborough Sports Loans
Along with MJ Kamara, he is back with the Turbines this season, but EFL rules allow him to appear for us in the EFL Trophy. While MJ won’t make the game, Head Coach Michael Skubala confirmed Oisin will likely play some part, as he did in the 5-0 win against Manchester City Under 21s.
“MJ’s injured,” said Michael, looking for a morale-boosting win after six games without one in the league. “Oisin is definitely in contention. I thought he did well when he came in in the last game against Manchester City’s 21. He’s in contention with a few other players in there to try and get the win.”
Michael confirmed that the midfielder, who scored his first Peterborough goal of the season on November 26th, is improving with his time away.
“He’s definitely improving. We watch very closely the young players, what they’re doing, and even the players out on loan for us. We’ve got Mark Tracy monitoring them very, very closely and as coaches, we still watch their clips and see how they’re getting on.”
However, that does come with a caveat – he has to keep developing. His role, at the base of the midfield, is hotly contested at Sincil Bank, and is probably one of the few where a recall is unlikely for cover in the winter window.
“Oisin’s growing as well as we want, and he’s just got to keep developing and keep going. It’s really difficult because you want to give him the opportunities to play at a high level.”
Who Else Could Play?
It’s likely to be a much-changed squad, as Michael confirmed. With games every couple of days through the last few weeks, we’re likely to see some of the squad in action, which we do not normally see.
“We’ll have to use the squad, there’s no doubt, because we’ve been thick and fast with games, and the other side of it for me, the challenge is we don’t want to risk players that we can’t afford to lose at the moment. So I think you’ll see some changes. But like all rounds, we’ll put a team on the pitch that we think can win the game.”
Who does that mean will come into the side? Tendayi Darikwa was missing on Saturday and is likely to appear, given he played against Man City Under 21s. Rob Street and Bailey Cadamarteri are almost certain to feature, as is Dylan Duffy.
Depending on fitness, we may see the lesser-spotted Saxon Earley in what is likely to be the last game of his loan spell, progression or not. The next round is usually scheduled for January 9th (or thereabouts), and with Earley likely to be recalled, he wouldn’t make that even if we do.
Be aware, tonight’s game kicks off at 7 pm.
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