Shakers pitch threatens Bury clash

Shakers boss Chris Casper bemoaned the Gigg Lane turf following their mid-week draw with Darlington, which he said was in ‘poor' condition.

Heavy rainfalls have done nothing to help the Shakers' cause, leaving much of the pitch under standing water.

The news could, however, play right into the Imps' hands, with City's away form yielding just four points from a possible eighteen.

With no new signings to report though, manager John Schofield will be left with a largely unchanged line-up from last week's visit of Shrewsbury, with two notable exceptions.

Suspensions have seen a minor shuffle of the Imps' pack, with Mark Stallard serving a one-match ban.

The veteran striker was handed the ban in mid-week after picking up his fifth booking of the season last weekend.

Captain Paul Morgan, however, returns to action after serving his suspension for his red card received a fortnight ago.

Elsewhere, midfielder Jeff Hughes is expected to shake off a knock after sitting out of training earlier in the week.