Michael Skubala has hinted at a surprise return from injury for an Imps player this weekend in City’s crucial final day encounter with Portsmouth.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference to BBC Radio Lincolnshire, Skubala confirmed some injury news ahead of City’s clash with Pompey at Sincil Bank on Saturday. The first of the news confirmed that Reeco Hackett will miss the game with injury, while Ted Bishop is touch and go.
Hackett was forced off early during City’s win at Oxford last Tuesday. The winger was sent to hospital with a suspected dislocated shoulder as the rest of the team battled to a vital 1-0 win. Despite a glimmer of hope that he’d be back to face his former club, Skubala has confirmed he’ll miss the game and probably all the playoff games if we secure a spot in the top six. Bishop hasn’t featured since the Imps picked up a point at Reading, but he could be set for a return with Skubala describing the midfielder as touch and go.
“Reeco isn’t going to make this one. Teddy is touch and go again but unfortunately Reeco won’t make it. I think Reeco could be done, we’ve got a few more assessments to make, but he could be done for the season.
The big news of the day though is a potential surprise return for one of our long-term absentees. Skubala didn’t give a name but did confirm we might have a player back from injury on Saturday.
“We might have one player back, but we’ll assessing that one so we’ll see.”
There are plenty that it could be, but one of the options is Tyler Walker, who has been out since late August, having a pretty torrid time with injury. The club have been quiet on Tyler, but when it was revealed he was out for the season, there was a possibility of a return towards the end of the season.
Another potential return to the matchday squad could be Lewis Montsma. The Dutch central defender has been out with an ACL injury since the back end of the 22/23 season, just a few games after his return from a prior ACL injury. He has been back in training, judging by a social media post that showed him back on the grass.
Conor McGrandles and Ethan Hamilton were both also ruled out for the season more recently. Both players could give us a massive boost going into the final day and potentially the playoffs. Danny Mandroiu and Jack Moylan have had to stand in as midfielders recently due to the injuries so a return for wither of Conor or Ethan would be welcomed by Skubala and his coaching staff.
Skubala obviously didn’t name the player in his press conference, as it takes the pressure off whoever it is to be ready for Saturday but if they are ready then whoever it is will give us a massive boost in what only can be described a really big game in front of a sold out Sincil Bank.