Hull City v Lincoln City - Options welcome for Tigers in battle for Championship return

CHOICES: Hull City manager Grant McCann. Picture: Martin Rickett/PA

The Tigers host promotion Lincoln City two matches from Wembley in the Football League Trophy, and when McCann picks his team the next meeting between the sides, in seven days’ time, will be in the back of his mind.

The early stages of the Trophy are traditionally used to blood young talent, and Hull-born teenager Andy Smith made his debut when Fleetwood Town were beaten in the last round, but as the arch comes into view, so the teams tend to become stronger.

George Honeyman, Keane Lewis-Potter and Malik Wilks made decisive impacts as half-time substitutes against Fleetwood.

McCann has painstakingly built a formidable squad this season, bringing former defender Max Clark back from Vitesse Arnhem as the final piece on yesterday’s deadline, and he is trying to make best possible use of its depth.

“We always have half an eye on what we’re looking to do two or three games in advance but our primary focus is on the next game,” said McCann, whose side are at Burton Albion in League One on Saturday.

“You just don’t know what’s going to happen at this time with Covid and injuries after games. It’s okay planning for things, but your plans can change.

“You’ve got to be open-minded and understand the games are so thick and fast that you have to plan in place for two or three scenarios, that’s the way we work.

IMPACT PLAYER: Hull City's George Honeyman made a significant contribution off the bench against Fleetwood in the previous round. Picture by Simon Hulme

“We feel like we’ve got a good squad, we feel like we’ve recruited well and we don’t need to be taking risks with people, playing people who are 40 and 50 per cent fit because we’ve got people ready to come and play, so it’s just about getting the balance right.

“We’ve got games coming up and it’s important we don’t flog people and end up losing them for three to four weeks because of injury.

“We spoke about it at the start of pre-season, just because the team wins one week, it doesn’t mean it’ll be the same the next week, or if the team loses one week, it doesn’t mean it will be changed the next.”

Last six games: Hull City WLWWDW; Lincoln City LWWWDW

Referee: A Madeley (Huddersfield)

Last time: Hull City 3 Lincoln City 0, October 25, 2003, Division Three.

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