Sky Bet Championship side Ipswich Town are prepared for the visit of non-league side Lincoln City in the Third Round of the Emirates FA Cup at Portman Road this Saturday.
The Blues are without an FA Cup victory since 2010 and with the visit of non-league side Lincoln City visiting Portman Road this Saturday, many outsiders are looking to see whether the Imps can cause an upset.
The Imps reached this round after defeating their fellow National League counterparts Guiseley before overcoming Altrincham in the First Round Proper. A Second Round ‘shock’ win over Sky Bet League One side Oldham Athletic now means that Danny Cowley’s side makes a trip to Suffolk in the historic competition.
The Tractor Boys sit 15th in the second-tier of English football but a defeat to non-league Lincoln will pile even more pressure upon Manager Mick McCarthy. The Blues will be wary however, with McCarthy’s side managing just one win in three home League games.
McCarthy has already said that he wants to name as strong a team as possible, however he will definitely be without a number of first-team players due to injuries. Skipper, Luke Chambers, and vice captain Cole Skuse are both doubts with niggling knee injuries. Myles Kenlock is suffering with a calf injury sustained in the 2-1 defeat at QPR on Monday also. Teddy Bishop (ankle), Tommy Smith (back), Luke Hyam and Giles Coke (knee) are also ruled out of action, however Paul Digby has returned to training following his knee injury.
The Imps will be boosted by the fact that recent signing Sean Long, who signed on-loan from Reading on Thursday, will be available to play.
“It’s a game we need to win. It’s an important game for us. Who knows, if we can win this and get another cup tie we can win it might just give us a bit of impetus in the league?
“If you’re flying in the league then the cup can upset that, but we’re hardly flying in the league – so let’s try and get a cup win.
“It’s a big, important game for us. They are bringing five thousand fans and will make it a real cup tie. It might just be the game and atmosphere we need to make it a proper cup tie.”
