The clocks have changed, which marks the midpoint between the season starting and the January window for Lincoln City.
Losing players in January can be a consequence of doing well, particularly if somebody catches the eye of a club with deeper pockets. Loan players bring a different set of considerations, with parent clubs assessing whether their footballers are getting enough out of the arrangement. With that in mind, here are six players we could lose when the window opens.
1. Ethan Wheatley
Wheatley’s loan has struggled to get going, which is disappointing given the interest surrounding him before he arrived. We were believed to have faced competition from Cardiff City, Aberdeen and SC Cambuur for the Manchester United forward, suggesting there were plenty of clubs who felt he could make an impact.
He was due to be involved against Sheffield United before an ankle injury intervened, adding another setback to a frustrating spell. So far, his only appearance has come from the bench against Blackpool in the League Cup, and he has been absent from the matchday squad for some time.
There is still time for that to change, but it increasingly feels as though January could bring a reassessment. Manchester United will surely want him playing regularly, and we have previously used the winter window to change our loan options when things have not worked out. It would be a shame to lose Wheatley without properly seeing what he can do, but a departure could make sense for everyone if his opportunities remain limited.
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