‘We’ll See’ – Michael Skubala On Jack Moylan Fitness, Plus Freddie Draper Update

Michael Skubala has admitted Freddie Draper won’t make this weekend’s fixture against Cardiff City.

However, Jack Moylan’s chances of making the game are up in the air, despite his injury not being long-term. He went off just after half-time of the 4-0 victory against Blackpool, and has been a key player for the Imps this season.

Cardiff could be without four first-team players for this weekend’s clash, and we will definitely be without one (long-term absentees not included), but will Jack make it?

“Yeah, he’s not trained fully this week so it’s probably going to be a late one to see how he how he goes,” Michael said in his pre-match press conference.

“It’s a dead leg but you know these can take a bit of time sometimes. We’ll see if he manages to make the squad for Saturday but yeah we’re not sure yet.”

Freddie Draper is another player who had been in superb form, but he limped off during another 4-0 win, this time against Northampton Town, and hasn’t been seen since. He is walking without crutches at matches: he was spotted in the stands watching on as we hammered the Seasiders, but he won’t be on the pitch in Wales this weekend.

“I think if Freddie’s probably a bit longer, that’s week to week one. We’re unsure,” Michael said.

“If Jack doesn’t make Saturday he’ll make Tuesday. So we’re more confident on that. We’ve got to just nurse him through the next sort of 48 hours 72 hours really.”

While Freddie is a huge miss, the potential for Jack to be back is exciting. It does feel as if perhaps we could see him on the bench, which opens the door for Dom Jefferies to start his first game since the 2-0 win against Barnsley at Christmas. Curiously, the only other game he has started in the league was the 3-1 win against the same opposition at the Bank in the reverse fixture.

“We don’t want to lose him for the rest of the season by getting him back too early,” finished Michael. “So, we’re hoping he can play some part on Saturday, whether that’s starting or coming off the bench.

“That would be a bonus for us. If he doesn’t make Saturday, he’ll make Tuesday, I think.”

Tuesday night sees the Imps look to turn the game in hand we have over Bolton into three points, as we travel to Exeter City. They lost 5-1 at home against Bolton last weekend, but now have a new manager in Matt Taylor, who’ll be hoping to build on their draw with Burton this week.