Searching in the background for a permanent head coach, Lincoln City will welcome Charlton Athletic - who have found form under new management - to LNER Stadium on Tuesday night in League One.
The Imps recorded a hard-fought win at strugglers Fleetwood Town on the weekend, while the Addicks produced an inspired second-half display to sweep aside Reading in South London.
Match preview
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Lincoln City commenced a new era under the interim stewardship of Tom Shaw with a narrow 1-0 success at relegation-threatened Fleetwood, with centre-back Alex Mitchell providing a clinical finish in the early stages of the contest to set his side on their way to victory.
The Imps travelled to face the Cod Army just days following the sacking of former boss Mark Kennedy, who is the first Lincoln coach to not leave the managerial hotseat by mutual consent in nearly a decade, with the club's hierarchy questioning the Irishman's playing style in the opening months of the term.
Now in their fifth successive campaign in League One, there is a consensus that Lincoln should be aiming for a top-six finish, and Shaw's men currently sit 12th in the third-tier standings, four points behind sixth-placed Stevenage and 10 better off than 21st-placed Wigan Athletic.
Lincoln's defensive record can only be bested by the division's top two of Portsmouth and Oxford United so far, with the Imps conceding 12 goals in as many league contests, helping Dane Lukas Jensen to keep five clean sheets following his permanent switch from Premier League newcomers Burnley in the summer.
The LNER Stadium has been a fortress for Tuesday's hosts so far this term, and after fans rallied to protect their home from the wrath of Storm Barbet over the last few days, Shaw's men will be looking to earn their fourth win in six league matches in front of their passionate support.
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Charlton extended their unbeaten run in League One to seven matches on Saturday afternoon against an out-of-sorts Reading side, with the Addicks loving life under the calming presence of new manager Michael Appleton following the dismissal of Dean Holden in late August after four successive league defeats.
Similar to many matches this season, Charlton came to the party in the second period, when Chuks Aneke, Tyreece Campbell, Alfie May and Miles Leaburn all got their names on the scoresheet to secure their biggest margin of victory so far in 2023-24 - a campaign in which playoffs is the clear goal.
Since the appointment of former Lincoln boss Appleton last month, the Addicks have collected 12 points from six League One matches, with only Portsmouth, Oxford United and Burton Albion possessing better records over that run of games, suggesting that Charlton could quickly rise to the summit of the table under their new management.
The South Londoners currently occupy 10th position in the League One standings and have an identical record to Tuesday's hosts after 12 matches, although the Addicks arrive at the LNER Stadium ahead of the Imps due to their superior goal difference - boosted heavily by the goals of May and Corey Blackett-Taylor.
Following four straight home matches, Charlton will leave the capital and fight for their first away maximum of the term, with visits to Peterborough United, Oxford United, Stevenage and Shrewsbury returning just two points combined during the opening months of the campaign.
Team News
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Lincoln are sweating over the fitness of striker Reeco Hackett following the narrow success at Fleetwood after the 25-year-old was forced off with a knock early in the second half, being replaced by youngster Jovon Makama.
The inclusion of Jack Vale in the Imps' matchday squad for the first time was an exciting sight for Lincoln supporters at Highbury Stadium on the weekend, with the Blackburn Rovers loanee struggling with a pair of injury setbacks since switching from Ewood Park in the summer.
Tuesday's hosts remain without the services of Daniel Mandroiu for the visit of the in-form Addicks, with the Irishman serving the second game of his three-match suspension for a red card in the loss against Burton.
Saturday afternoon saw another twist in the injury-blighted career of Aneke as the striker was substituted because of a hamstring injury, meaning Leaburn is likely to partner top goalscorer May in attack in Lincolnshire.
Appleton will be considering whether Serbian Slobodan Tedic has warranted another starting berth on the right flank following the goalscoring antics of winger Campbell off the bench last time out - the 20-year-old also provided an assist against the Royals.
Despite Charlton's struggles in the third tier over recent seasons, the quality of George Dobson in the engine room has been consistent for the South Londoners, and the former AFC Wimbledon man will start alongside Louie Watson once again.
Lincoln City possible starting lineup:
Jensen; O'Connor, Jackson, Mitchell; Sorensen, Hamilton, Erhahon, Burroughs, Smith; Makama, Bishop
Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:
Maynard-Brewer; Watson, Hector, Jones, Thomas; Campbell, Watson, Dobson, Blackett-Taylor; Leaburn, May
We say: Lincoln City 0-2 Charlton Athletic
Lincoln avoided three straight defeats in League One by winning at Fleetwood on the weekend, but with their backs against the wall for the majority of the second half, you wonder whether the Imps will be able to repeat the trick on Tuesday.
Charlton are in sensational form under Appleton and will be confident of securing their maiden away maximum of the term at LNER Stadium in this one.
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Top tip
Carter White
