The Imps’s hopes of ending the League One campaign on a high have been dealt a heavy setback with the news that Dom Jefferies and Jovon Makama will miss the final five matches due to injury.
Makama, 21, suffered a hamstring injury just 25 minutes into the weekend’s draw with Charlton Athletic. Ironically, it was Jefferies who replaced him during that game, only to be subbed before the game finished. Now, both players are confirmed to be out, with Jefferies facing a longer spell on the sidelines.
The Welsh midfielder is due to undergo surgery on a persistent hip issue, one that will not only keep him out for the remainder of this season but also rule him out of pre-season and the early stages of the 2025–26 campaign.
Jefferies has been a consistent figure for Lincoln this term, making 43 appearances and netting three goals. His tireless energy and versatility on the flank have made him a dependable option for head coach Michael Skubala. The timing of the operation, while necessary, means he now faces a race against the clock to be fit for next season.
Makama, who has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign, will also miss the run-in. The young forward has netted 11 times in 45 games and was just beginning to hit top form, with March seeing him nominated for the League One Player of the Month award. His injury halts that progress, and with Lincoln already out of promotion contention, the coaching staff will now have to plan without one of their standout stars.
Heading into this weekend’s clash with bottom club Shrewsbury Town, managed by one of the Stacey West’s favourite former Imps bosses, Michael Appleton, we sit comfortably in mid-table. There are 14 points between us and the top six with 15 the difference between us and the drop, meaning the remainder of the campaign will be about squad rotation and player assessment.
That task becomes trickier without Jefferies and Makama, both of whom were expected to feature prominently in the final fixtures. With several academy talents pushing for minutes, Skubala may use the opportunity to test younger options in competitive conditions. In particular, it could mean starts for both Joe Gardner and Erik Ring for the final five matches.
You must be logged in to post a comment.