“He’s more disappointed than everybody” — Michael Skubala Offers Tyler Walker Verdict

Michael Skubala has updated fans on Tyler Walker after it was recently revealed that the striker spend a period on the sidelines due to injury.

Walker has only played a handful of times since joining the Imps for a second time at the start of the 2023/24 campaign. The striker picked up a season ending injury ahead of our trip to Sheffield United in August but managed to return to action on the final day of the season against Portsmouth, coming on from the bench.

The 27-year-old was expected to be a key part of City’s squad in the 2024/25 season, with Skubala previously describing him as feeling like a ‘new signing’ but the striker picked up an injury during a warm weather training camp away in Spain. The ankle injury will keep him out for multiple months with a return expected going into November.

Speaking to BBC Radio Lincolnshire’s Michael Hortin and Rob Makepeace on an exclusive edition of the Red Imps Club, Skubala discussed Walker’s injury and reiterated his and the club’s support towards the player in what is obviously a difficult time for the player.

He said: “When Tyler came back last season and then during the off-season and into pre-season I saw a real determination in Tyler to come back strong. Coming in during the off-season when everyones off at the EPC doing his own work, so first and foremost I’m gutted for Tyler because I saw the amount of graft, above and beyond being a footballer that he really wanted to play. Everyone’s disappointed but he’s more disappointed than everybody.

“It’s just a freak accident – it’s not the same one. It’s an ankle, you didn’t think it was anything then all of sudden it’s a couple of months on the sideline. What place is he in? He’s in a strong place, he’s a strong minded character and he’s a good lad. He’s already thinking positively about getting back. He’s got a bit of time to go but we’ll do our best to support him, hopefully we can get him back as soon as possible he can. 

Skubala is looking ahead to Walker’s return but has warned fans that it may take time for the striker to get back to his best. Walker is no stranger to being on top form for City, having scored 16 goals in 34 games during the 2019/20 campaign when he was on loan at Sincil Bank.

He added: “I think he’ll be jumping at the bit when he does get back because the amount of football he’s now missed is quite a lot. We won’t see the best of him in the first few months even if he does get back, you have to get back into the speed and flow of the game but hopefully we can get him back before long as well.”