Skubala Provides Update on Walker, Hamilton and Hackett

Michael Skubala has issued a number of injury updates following City’s first pre-season outing, which ended in a victory against Sky Bet EFL Championship side Preston North End.

The Imps have spent the week in Spain for a warm weather training camp, and on Friday morning they faced Preston in their first pre-season game. City ran out 1-0 winners – Jovon Makama scoring the only goal of the game in the second minute, with a well placed finish from the edge of the area into the bottom right corner.

Skubala named two sides, as is usual practice in the early stages of pre-season. In the first half, City lined up with Jamie Pardington in goal behind a back three off MJ Kamara, Paudie O’Connor and Sean Roughan. New signing Tendayi Darikwa started at right wing-back, with Zak Bradshaw on the left. Oisin Gallagher played in the midfield, along with the returning Conor McGrandles and new addition Tom Bayliss. Rob Street partnered Jovon Makama in attack.

There were nine changes at the interval, with Zach Jeacock getting a run out in goal for the first time after signing, ahead of Adam Jackson, Kamara and Bradshaw, who played the full 90 minutes. Jay Benn was on the right, with Dylan Duffy on the left. Jack Moylan and Ethan Erhahon joined new signing JJ McKiernan in the middle with Ben House and Freddie Draper up top. Lewis Montsma made his first appearance for City in over a year as his recovery from his 3rd career ACL injury ramps up, coming on in the 62nd minute, while 17-year-old Zane Okoro was introduced in the final stages of the game.

Tyler Walker, Ethan Hamilton and Reeco Hackett were the only first team players not involved in the game, and after the match Skubala gave updates on the trio’s fitness to BBC Radio Lincolnshire’s Rob Makepeace.

Walker picked up a knock in training according to Skubala, who took time to praise the striker for his attitude and application so far in pre-season. Skubala admitted they don’t know much as of yet and they’ll know more next week when they get Walker’s ankle scanned.

He said: “Tyler’s been phenomenal. He’s been training in preseason, doing extra. He’s come back amazing with a great attitude to preseason and before pre-season. He’s been out here, training well then he’s just rolled his ankle.

“We don’t know what it is yet, we’ve got to scan him when we get back Monday, we don’t want to do it here. He’s walking around with a boot as people have seen. It might be something, it might be nothing so we just don’t know.

“He’s just been unlucky – it’s not the same injury. It’s unlucky for him but he’s in a good spot so hopefully it’s not too bad but we don’t know at this point.”

Hamilton is a long term absentee for the Imps and Skubala confirmed that he still quite a way off being involved in training, despite travelling to Spain with the squad.

He said: “The rehab boys, I wanted to bring them out here because they’re part of the group. I didn’t want them staying at home training when the others lads are out here, it’s important for me that they’re in this environment.

“Ethan is quite a way off still but he’s out here around the lads. He’s enjoying with the gym with the rehab staff and it’s important we keep everyone connected who’s part of us – that’s why he’s here.

Hackett picked up an injury towards the end of the 2023/24 campaign, but the winger is making steady progress towards a full return to first team training.

Skubala said: “Reeco îs a bit closer. He’s on the grass running, he’s not quite into contact but he’s looking good.”