Lincoln City kick off their EFL Trophy campaign on Tuesday evening, as they host Chesterfield in Group G.
Back in the football league this season, the Spireites will arrive at Sincil Bank after a disappointing defeat at the weekend.
Match preview
© Imago
Lincoln City claimed a second straight victory on Saturday, when they travelled to the Lamex Stadium for a League One clash with Stevenage.
A 1-0 victory moved them within one point of the top of the table, with nine points from four games so far.
The Imps started with a 3-2 away win over Burton, before suffering consecutive home defeats to Harrogate Town and Barnsley in the EFL Cup and league respectively.
However, Michael Skubala's side bounced back to record a commanding 4-1 victory over Mansfield Town, before beating Stevenage at the weekend.
Having made it 11 consecutive away games without defeat in the league, City now begin their quest to escape from Group G in the EFL Trophy, which also features Grimsby Town and Manchester City's Under-21s.
Meanwhile, Chesterfield come into Tuesday's contest on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Gillingham, in which both sides ended the match with 10 men.
Despite hitting the woodwork three times at Priestfield, they came away empty-handed, continuing a tough start to life in England's fourth tier.
The Spireites - who claimed the National League title with 98 points last season - have won just one of their four league matches since gaining promotion, in addition to exiting the EFL Cup to Derby County.
On a brighter note, Paul Cook's side did beat Man City's youngsters in their first EFL Trophy fixture, after Darren Oldaker's late leveller set up a penalty shootout that Chesterfield won 4-2.
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Team News
![Chey Dunkley of Chesterfield during the Chesterfield FC v Sheffield United FC pre-season friendly match at the SMH Group Stadium, Chesterfield, England, United Kingdom on 20 July 2024 [on August 7, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/32/chey-dunkley.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Chey Dunkley of Chesterfield during the Chesterfield FC v Sheffield United FC pre-season friendly match at the SMH Group Stadium, Chesterfield, England, United Kingdom on 20 July 2024 [on August 7, 2024]")
© Imago
Lincoln City remain without long-term injury absentees Ethan Hamilton and Reeco Hackett, but two new arrivals could play a part on Tuesday evening.
Left-back Saxon Earley was loaned to Lincoln by Plymouth last week, while 19-year-old Bailey Cadamarteri has joined the club on a season-long loan from Sheffield Wednesday.
Recent signing Erik Ring still awaits work permit approval, having signed a four-year deal after leaving AIK Stockholm.
Meanwhile, Chesterfield defender Chey Dunkley was sent off for a second bookable offence during second-half stoppage time at Gillingham, but he could still feature in midweek.
The visitors' injury situation is still significant, though, as Ryheem Sheckleford (hamstring), Ash Palmer (knee), Paddy Madden (calf), Liam Mandeville (ankle) and Devan Tanton (thigh) are all sidelined.
Paul Cook is likely to make several changes to his starting XI, so Will Grigg could be rested, with Joe Quigley taking his place up front.
Lincoln City possible starting lineup:
Wickens; Jackson, Hamer, Roughan; Darikwa, McKiernan, Erhahon, Bayliss, Jefferies; Cadamarteri, Makama
Chesterfield possible starting lineup:
Boot; Daley-Campbell, Williams, Naylor, Gordon; Banks, Oldaker; Drummond, Jacobs, Dobra; Quigley
We say: Lincoln City 1-0 Chesterfield
Home advantage should help Lincoln City take three points from their first Group G fixture, as they have made a confident start in League One and their visitors are still adapting to life in the football league.
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Jonathan O'Shea
