Lincoln City Manager Confirms Bittersweet News as two of her players will face court trials after sexual assault
Lincoln City midfielder Conor McGrandles has been ruled out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury, according to manager Michael Skubala.
The Scot, who is on loan from fellow League One side Charlton Athletic, has been a big part of the recent upturn in form since joining the Imps on transfer deadline day. He did, however, miss the draw against Stevenage last weekend.
He had played five times during February, starting four of those games in the heart of Michael Skubala’s sides midfield. McGrandles is the second player to be ruled out for the season recently for the Imps, with the news that fellow midfielder Ethan Hamilton is also out for the remainder of the campaign.
The East Midlands club have been very unlucky with injuries. The likes of Teddy Bishop, Ben House, Tyler Walker and Jack Burroughs have all missed big parts of the season.
Lincoln face a tough trip this Saturday as they travel to fourth-placed and in-form Barnsley. In their last seven matches, the Tykes have been impressive, winning four games and drawing the remaining three. This includes the 2-2 draw with fellow promotion-chasers Bolton Wanderers in midweek.
Speaking to BBC Radio Lincolnshire Sport, Skubala was asked about McGrandles and responded:
“Not good news with Conor. He’s been to see a specialist last week, we’ve got the report on that he’s got to go and have an op.
“So, he’s finished for the end of the season as well. Not great, he’s got an operation tomorrow. We won’t see him again this season”
There was some good news for Imps fans when it comes to injuries, with the return of centre back Adam Jackson from a facial injury. Regarding the defender, who has missed the last five fixtures, the ex-Leeds United coach replied:
“Jackson is back into full training and back in the squad, which is great. He’s been training with a mask but he’s taken that off this week. He’s available for the weekend.”
Writer’s View
Whilst awful news for both Hamilton and McGrandles, it does open the door for someone else to take their opportunity. The likes of Teddy Bishop, Ethan Erhahon, Jack Moylan, Danny Mandriou and Lasse Sorensen to name but a few can cover the midfield spots.
Skubala seems the type of coach who doesn’t mind a challenge, and with these injuries, it may mean players have to play out of position. Unfortunately, we may well have seen the last of McGrandles in a Lincoln shirt as the midfielder has over a year to run on his Charlton contract. The Imps may be forced to look elsewhere.
