Michael Appleton: “It’s a big blow for the lad. He was in such a good place playing really well.”

In what has been an otherwise excellent week for the Imps, Michael Appleton was faced with reporting some really bad injury news ahead of the fixture featuring FA Cup giant-killers Cambridge United.

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Cambridge United: Both teams have enjoyed highly successful weeks with Michael Appleton thinking that both sides could actually be seeing it as a good time to play each other; given the huge efforts that were expended to win their respective games.

“They’ll (Cambridge) be cock a hoop, delighted the way things have gone for them over the last couple of games. They’ve progressed in both cup competitions which has been great for the club. Mark’s done a great job down there and they’ll come here, they’ll be very tough to beat. If we’re going to get three points we’re going to need the similar sort of performance we’ve seen in the last two games”.

MA was insistent about the importance of not becoming complacent after Lincoln’s recent victories. He has put all his energy over the previous 48 hours, instilling the mindset of the last two games into the players. He will be an angry and frustrated man if that is not heeded. MA saw it as an opportunity to put in another good home performance but didn’t lose sight of more important considerations.

“The reality is we’re still where we are and until I feel we can start looking upwards rather than looking what’s behind us, that will be our mindset”.

It is unlikely the Imps will add to the loan signing of Liam Cullen before the game on Saturday. However, MA spoke confidently of having another attacker available as early as the midweek game next week. Work to bring in a further defender is ongoing.

Anthony Scully will be training today for the first time this week, so MA will have a better idea of his availability tomorrow when the extent of any reaction can be assessed.

Looking Forwards: MA is targeting February as a really big month to progress up the league, bearing in mind there are seven fixtures in such a condensed period. Before then though, there are still a number of games in January to contend with and points must be accumulated from those.

Lewis Montsma: MA confirmed everybody’s worst fears, revealing that Lewis has torn his anterior cruciate ligaments (knee) and will be out for a minimum of nine months.

“It’s a big blow for the lad. He was in such a good place playing really well. In fact, he’s done fantastically well since he’s been at the football club, this year and last year. The one thing I would say is he’s a strong-minded individual (Lewis has previously suffered a similar injury to his other knee). He ‘knows what it is like to be out for a period of time. He’s got that mentality to come back from this type of injury and I’ve got absolutely no doubt whatsoever that will be the case as well, this time around”.

MA went on to say that Lewis will receive all the mental and physical support he needs including from Michael himself, as he can personally relate to what Lewis will be going through. MA highlighted that Lewis has developed good friends in England, and whilst being injured and away from home will make it doubly difficult, it is vital that teammate’s supports within the tightness of this group of players, help carry Lewis through.

Writer: hulloutpost

Michael Appleton: "It's a big blow for the lad. He was in such a good place playing really well."https://t.co/3DynLeWeoJ#ImpsAsOne #CamUTD

— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) January 14, 2022