The Lincolnshire Echo reports that newly-promoted Sky Bet League Two side Lincoln City are to face Benfica in pre-season. In addition to an unnamed English club, the Imps will play the game during their warm weather training between July 11th and 17th.
The trip itself is made possible thanks to the generosity of ten companies who are sponsoring the trip. Manager Danny Cowley, who is in his second season at the helm of the Sincil Bank club, believes the change of scenary in travelling overseas in pre-season will work wonders for his new look playing squad.
Former Arsenal and Swansea City goalkeeper Josh Vickers was yesterday confirmed as the most recent off-season recruit by Cowley. He joins Matt Green, Billy Knott, Ollie Palmer and Josh Ginnelly in becoming official new signings this summer. Speaking on their trip, Cowley feels it’ll only benefit everyone involved,
“For the players, pre-season is the toughest part of their year. By going away, we can break pre-season up and get some warm weather training in. We’ll get the group together for six days. And when you’re bringing in eight to 10 players like we are, it’s a good opportunity to build team spirit and for the players to get to know each other.”
The Imps begin their pre-season campaign this weekend when taking on Lincoln United, before heading on their warm weather training camp. League One trio Peterborough United, Oxford United and Walsall will all head to Sincil Bank late in July to form more strong opposition for Lincoln ahead of their return to the EFL. Whilst it seems highly unlikely to be the first choice Benfica side that they will face, their youth structure is among the most highly-regarded in world football. The Portuguese giants were losing finalists in the 2016/17 UEFA Youth League.
