Lincoln boss Appleton without several experienced players

Posted Thursday, October 03, 2019 by PA

Lincoln boss Michael Appleton will be without a series of experienced players for Saturday’s League One clash with Sunderland.

Defender Michael Bostwick continues to work his way back from a calf injury and is yet to return to the training pitch.

Midfielder Tom Pett resumed training this week following an injury suffered in pre-season, but is short of match fitness, while Lee Frecklington and Ben Coker remain on the sidelines.

Appleton, who took charge of the team for the first time ahead of last Saturday’s 2-1 league defeat at Blackpool, made eight changes for the midweek clash with Manchester United Under-21s in the Leasing.com Trophy, and has indicated something of the men who took part in that game – in which Southampton loanee Jake Hesketh made his debut – could come into contention.

Sunderland boss Jack Ross will make late checks on Aiden McGeady and Marc McNulty as he looks for a third successive win in all competitions.

Midfielder McGeady has missed the last two games with a foot injury, but has returned to training and could be involved as long as he suffers no reaction.

Striker McNulty, who has been out of action since the 1-1 draw with Rotherham on September 17 with a hamstring problem, is also back on the training pitch and close to a return.

Duncan Watmore continues to work his way back from a thigh injury which has sidelined him since the opening day of the season.