Lincoln City face a Bristol City side reshaped by a busy summer, with several new arrivals likely to feature against the Imps.
Luke McNally remains unavailable, but the inclusion of Cameron Pring, George Tanner, Noah Eile, Gibson Yah and Adam Randell in the squad at Southampton suggests Michael Skubala has more options than recent injury lists indicated.
A possible 4-2-3-1 would combine some established Championship performers with the players brought in during the summer. Here is how the Robins could line up.
Sam Tickle
Tickle looks likely to take the gloves, having featured prominently since his summer arrival from Wigan Athletic. The goalkeeper joined on a four-year deal after establishing himself as a regular with the Latics.
His route to the Championship included experience in non-league before his breakthrough at Wigan, where he won their Player of the Year award in 2023/24. He has also represented England at under-21 level.
Rio Cardines
Cardines gets the nod at right-back in this possible XI, although Tanner’s availability gives Skubala another option. The Crystal Palace loanee is among the newcomers already playing a prominent role.
Developed in Palace’s academy, Cardines can operate at full-back or wing-back. Born in England, he represents Trinidad and Tobago internationally, having progressed through their youth sides to the senior team.
Rob Dickie
There is a familiar face at the heart of the defence, with Dickie offering experience alongside the younger Eissat. His time with the Imps came on loan from Reading during the first half of our 2017/18 campaign.
He subsequently joined Oxford United permanently, moved to Queens Park Rangers and arrived at Ashton Gate in June 2023. His first season with Bristol City brought both the supporters’ and players’ Player of the Year awards.
Lisav Eissat
Eissat is the proposed partner for Dickie, with McNally’s absence removing one of the alternatives at centre-back. Another summer addition, he has quickly become part of Bristol’s reshaped defence.
The defender came through Maccabi Haifa’s academy and gained senior experience on loan at Hapoel Hadera before returning to his parent club. Born in Israel, he represents Romania at senior international level.
Cameron Pring
Pring’s involvement in the squad at Southampton puts him in contention to start on the left of the back four. His availability gives Bristol an established option in a defence containing several newer faces.
Signed from Cheltenham Town in 2016, Pring took a lengthy route into the first team through a succession of loans. Those included Newport County, Walsall and Portsmouth before he established himself at Ashton Gate.
Jason Knight
Knight would provide an experienced presence in the midfield pair, helping connect the defence with the attacking players ahead of him. In this selection, he lines up alongside Joe Williams.
The Republic of Ireland international began with Cabinteely before moving to Derby County, where he made 166 senior appearances. Bristol City signed him in July 2023 after four seasons of first-team football with the Rams.
Joe Williams
Williams completes the proposed central midfield partnership, although Randell and Yah’s availability gives Skubala alternatives. His Championship experience would offer some continuity amid the summer changes.
An Everton academy graduate, Williams gained senior experience through loans at Barnsley and Bolton Wanderers. A permanent move to Wigan followed before Bristol City brought him to Ashton Gate in August 2020.
Yu Hirakawa
Hirakawa is the choice on the right of the attacking three, with Twine operating centrally and Ballard on the opposite flank. That would place him ahead of Cardines on Bristol’s right-hand side.
The Japanese winger initially arrived from Machida Zelvia on loan in July 2024, with a permanent deal confirmed the following February. He also spent the second half of last season on loan at Hull.
Scott Twine
Twine looks the natural choice for the number ten position, where his shooting and threat from free-kicks could give us plenty to think about. Keeping unnecessary fouls to a minimum around our penalty area would be sensible.
His career took him from Swindon Town to MK Dons, where he won the League One Player of the Season award in 2021/22. Burnley signed him that summer, with Bristol City eventually making his move permanent in August 2024 following an initial loan.
Dominic Ballard
Ballard takes the place on the left of the attacking three, supporting Tolaj alongside Twine and Hirakawa. He joined Bristol City from Leyton Orient this summer on a four-year deal.
A Southampton academy graduate, Ballard gained experience on loan at Reading, Blackpool and Cambridge United before joining Orient permanently in September 2025. His impressive season in east London earned him the move to Ashton Gate.
Lorent Tolaj
Tolaj leads the line in this possible XI, with Ballard providing another goal threat from the left. The Swiss forward has featured prominently since arriving from Plymouth Argyle during the summer.
Formerly in Brighton’s academy, he built his reputation through permanent spells with Aldershot Town and Port Vale, helping the latter win promotion from League Two. His subsequent move to Plymouth provided the next step before Bristol brought him into the Championship.
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