Lincoln City are hoping to welcome Ben House back for Saturday’s Championship meeting with Southampton, although Tom Hamer and Sonny Bradley will not be rushed into returning.
The Imps were without several important players for last night’s goalless draw with Blackburn Rovers, but still produced an impressive performance against Tony Mowbray’s side. We created the better opportunities and kept another clean sheet, despite the absences limiting the options available to Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw.
In the EPC’s treatment room, there is a slogan: ‘your greatest ability is your availability’, and that was a superpower we enjoyed last season. This time out, we have had a little less luck, losing Tendayi Darikwa for the season. Hamer missed out on Saturday at Bolton, and he was joined by a new face on the treatment table this week.
House missed the game against Blackburn alongside Hamer and Bradley. The diagnosis of House’s injury has provided some encouragement, with City hopeful that he could return this weekend, while Hamer and Bradley are continuing to work towards their respective comebacks.
“Housey, we’re hoping to have back for the weekend,” Chris Cohen said.
“The scan that he had was pretty clear, so one we’re going to have to be sure on, but he’s good.”
There is a degree of ambiguity around Hamer and Bradley, with Chris simply committing to ‘pushing all the time’ rather than a timescale on a possible return.
“With Tom, we’re pushing all the time, but it’s really important, like all the boys coming back from injury, Sonny Bradley the same, that it’s got to be right for the team, most importantly.
“It’s really important that we don’t bring anyone back too early.”
House’s potential return would strengthen the Imps ahead of another demanding Championship fixture, but the coaching staff are clearly unwilling to take unnecessary risks with any of the injured players. That may suggest that Tom Hamer will be absent this weekend, although the centre of defence is the area where we have really good depth.
That depth has already been tested during the opening weeks of the season, making last night’s performance particularly encouraging.
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