The EFL returns after the international break with a full fixture list for fans to get stuck into, hoping the break will have helped their team to pick up from where they left off, or turn their form around.

In EFL League One, there is a meeting between two sides who definitely fall into the latter category.

As 17th placed Lincoln City host 21st placed Charlton Athletic, with both sides aiming to win this weekend in order to really kickstart their seasons.

Team news

Lincoln boss Michael Appleton has had quite the injury crisis to deal with this season, and it’s not getting any easier, with Tom Hopper out until the new year. Skipper Liam Bridcutt and defender Adam Jackson are also unavailable, but Conor McGrandles, Regan Poole and Josh Griffiths should be fine to start after their respective injuries.

In the other camp, Charlton manager Nigel Adkins has had plenty of injuries to wrestle with himself, with centre-backs Jake Forster-Caskey and Ryan Inniss being long-term absentees. However the quartet of Chris Gunter, Harry Arter, Hady Ghandour and Conor Washington have all trained, so could feature.

Predicted lineups

Lincoln City:

(4-3-3) Griffiths, Poole, Eyoma, Montsma, Robson, Bishop, McGrandles, Fiorini, Scully, Nlundulu, Maguire  

Charlton Athletic:

(4-4-2) MacGilivary, Gunter, Lavelle, Famewo, Souare, Leko, Arter, Gilbey, Kirk, Lee, Stockley  

Form guide

After spending last season permanently within the top six, Lincoln fans have had to get used to the bottom half of the table this term. A summer which saw two of their best players in Jorge Grant and Tayo Edun leave, as well as a number of key loan signings returning to their parent clubs, meant that City were up against it from the off. Multiple injuries to important players hasn’t help either, resulting in just one home win, and three from 11 games in total so far. So Imps fans will be hoping that this is the game where their season finally gets underway.   

Meanwhile, Charlton are having a turbulent start to the season of their own. Agonisingly missing out on a play-off place on the final day in May would have left the Addicks hoping that they could go one better this time around.

However after 11 games, they instead find themselves sat in the League One relegation zone. They did however manage to grab just their second win of the season away at Fleetwood Town in their most recent league game, so will be hoping to use that as momentum in guiding themselves back up the table.

Ones to watch

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Dan Nlundulu

It’s been a tough start to life as a Lincoln player for Dan Nlundulu, as the Southampton loanee spent the first few weeks of the season injured. It was then a case of playing second fiddle to Hopper, with the target-man being limited to cameo appearances off the bench.

But with his fellow striker’s ankle problem set to keep him out for a while, Nlundulu will likely have an extended run in the team. He now knows that this is his chance to prove himself to the Lincoln faithful, and will be aiming to get off the mark for his new club and show that he is a goalscorer that they can rely on.

Jayden Stockley

Former Exeter City frontman Jayden Stockley was hot property when he left the Grecians in 2019, having been in lethal form in front of goal. However, an uninspiring spell at Preston North End followed, before he joined Charlton on loan last term. The move was then made permanent this summer, and he has repaid that faith with five goals so far this season, including three in his last two games. He came off the bench to score in their last league game, so will be aiming to start on Saturday, where he could spearhead Charlton’s attack.

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Previous meetings

These sides met twice last season, with the home side winning on both occasions. Lincoln won 2-0 at Sincil Bank thanks to goals from Grant and Lewis Montsma in September 2020, but Charlton were able to return the favour in the penultimate game of the season, winning 3-1 at the Valley. Prior to last season, they hadn’t met since 1986, with Charlton’s record looking very impressive, winning seven and losing just one of their 12 meetings in the modern era. So Lincoln will be looking to improve on that poor head-to-head record on Saturday.

How to watch 

For fans that can’t attend the game in Lincoln, the match will be available to stream on both club’s iFollow page. With the highlights available to watch by the end of the day at the latest. 

What the managers have said

Lincoln manager Michael Appleton spoke to the media ahead of the game, highlighting his shock at their opponents current position. He said:

“I’m surprised by Charlton as they have serious quality throughout the squad.

"Whoever Nigel picks it will be a very strong side and they’ll hope to kick on which we need to be mindful of.

“We know what we can and can’t achieve as a club this year. We need to stay competitive and give the squad the quality we need in January.”

In the other dugout, Charlton boss Nigel Adkins previewed the game with the club site, explaining how his side have spent their off time. He said:

“I think we’ve utilised the time well because, with the international break, we haven’t had a game to prepare for as such.

“So, we’ve been able to get some good training on the training ground and I’ve been pleased about that – the application of all the players and the staff.

“We’re growing and we’re building – that’s the important thing.”

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