Squad: June 2026

It's interesting when you look at the loans we now have out as we move up the leagues. We are used to our players going to non league or Ireland now we have 2 players out on loan in League 2 as our own status goes up.

Yes I know we had McKiernan at Burton Albion but that was for an entirely different reason.
 
Update following the new contract and departure on loan of Oisín Gallagher:

Goalkeepers: (2)
Jamie Pardington, 25 (June 2028)
George Wickens, 24 (June 2028)

Zach Jeacock, 25 (June 2029 plus one-year club option) season loan to Northampton Town

Defenders: (10)
Deji Elerewe, 22 (June 2029 plus one-year club option)
Tom Hamer, 26 (June 2029)
Josh Honohan, 25 (June 2029)
Ryley Towler, 24 (June 2029)
Callum Elder, 31 (June 2028)
Sonny Bradley, 34 (June 2027)
Tendayi Darikwa, 34 (June 2027)
Adam Reach, 33 (June 2027 plus appearance trigger)
Adam Jackson, 32 (June 2027 plus appearance trigger)
Charlie Parks, 19 (June 2027 with two-year club option)

Central Midfielders: (5)
Ivan Varfolomeev, 22 (June 2029)
Tom Bayliss, 27 (June 2028)
Dom Jefferies, 24 (June 2028)
JJ McKiernan, 24 (June 2028)
Conor McGrandles, 30 (June 2027)

Oisín Gallagher, 21 (June 2029 plus one-year club option) season loan to Barnet

Wingers: (2)
Oscar Thorn, 22 (June 2029)
Reeco Hackett-Fairchild, 28 (June 2027)

Strikers: (5)
Jack Moylan, 24 (June 2030)
Rob Street, 24 (June 2030)
Ben House, 26 (June 2028 plus option)
Freddie Draper, 21 (June 2028)
James Collins, 35 (June 2027) out until into 2026-27

Zane Okoro, 19 (June 2029) season loan to Tranmere Rovers

Total: 24
Contracted: 27
In on loan: 0
Out on loan: 3

Average age at 30 June 2026: 27 years, 0 months
excluding players out on loan.
.
 
Update following the new contract for Ryley Towler:

Goalkeepers: (2)
Jamie Pardington, 25 (June 2028)
George Wickens, 24 (June 2028)

Zach Jeacock, 25 (June 2029 plus one-year club option) season loan to Northampton Town

Defenders: (10)
Ryley Towler, 24 (June 2030)
Deji Elerewe, 22 (June 2029 plus one-year club option)
Tom Hamer, 26 (June 2029)
Josh Honohan, 25 (June 2029)
Callum Elder, 31 (June 2028)
Sonny Bradley, 34 (June 2027)
Tendayi Darikwa, 34 (June 2027)
Adam Reach, 33 (June 2027 plus appearance trigger)
Adam Jackson, 32 (June 2027 plus appearance trigger)
Charlie Parks, 19 (June 2027 with two-year club option)

Central Midfielders: (5)
Ivan Varfolomeev, 22 (June 2029)
Tom Bayliss, 27 (June 2028)
Dom Jefferies, 24 (June 2028)
JJ McKiernan, 24 (June 2028)
Conor McGrandles, 30 (June 2027)

Oisín Gallagher, 21 (June 2029 plus one-year club option) season loan to Barnet

Wingers: (2)
Oscar Thorn, 22 (June 2029)
Reeco Hackett-Fairchild, 28 (June 2027)

Strikers: (5)
Jack Moylan, 24 (June 2030)
Rob Street, 24 (June 2030)
Ben House, 26 (June 2028 plus option)
Freddie Draper, 21 (June 2028)
James Collins, 35 (June 2027) out until into 2026-27

Zane Okoro, 19 (June 2029) season loan to Tranmere Rovers

Total: 24
Contracted: 27
In on loan: 0
Out on loan: 3

Average age at 30 June 2026: 27 years, 0 months
excluding players out on loan.
.
 
Update following the new contract for Conor McGrandles:

Goalkeepers: (2)
Jamie Pardington, 25 (June 2028)
George Wickens, 24 (June 2028)

Zach Jeacock, 25 (June 2029 plus one-year club option) season loan to Northampton Town

Defenders: (10)
Ryley Towler, 24 (June 2030)
Deji Elerewe, 22 (June 2029 plus one-year club option)
Tom Hamer, 26 (June 2029)
Josh Honohan, 25 (June 2029)
Callum Elder, 31 (June 2028)
Sonny Bradley, 34 (June 2027)
Tendayi Darikwa, 34 (June 2027)
Adam Reach, 33 (June 2027 plus appearance trigger)
Adam Jackson, 32 (June 2027 plus appearance trigger)
Charlie Parks, 19 (June 2027 with two-year club option)

Central Midfielders: (5)
Ivan Varfolomeev, 22 (June 2029)
Conor McGrandles, 30 (June 2028)
Tom Bayliss, 27 (June 2028)
Dom Jefferies, 24 (June 2028)
JJ McKiernan, 24 (June 2028)

Oisín Gallagher, 21 (June 2029 plus one-year club option) season loan to Barnet

Wingers: (2)
Oscar Thorn, 22 (June 2029)
Reeco Hackett-Fairchild, 28 (June 2027)

Strikers: (5)
Jack Moylan, 24 (June 2030)
Rob Street, 24 (June 2030)
Ben House, 26 (June 2028 plus option)
Freddie Draper, 21 (June 2028)
James Collins, 35 (June 2027) out until into 2026-27

Zane Okoro, 19 (June 2029) season loan to Tranmere Rovers

Total: 24
Contracted: 27
In on loan: 0
Out on loan: 3

Average age at 30 June 2026: 27 years, 0 months
excluding players out on loan.
.
 
Update following the new contract for George Wickens:

Goalkeepers: (2)
George Wickens, 24 (June 2029 plus one-year club option)
Jamie Pardington, 25 (June 2028)

Zach Jeacock, 25 (June 2029 plus one-year club option) season loan to Northampton Town

Defenders: (10)
Ryley Towler, 24 (June 2030)
Deji Elerewe, 22 (June 2029 plus one-year club option)
Tom Hamer, 26 (June 2029)
Josh Honohan, 25 (June 2029)
Callum Elder, 31 (June 2028)
Sonny Bradley, 34 (June 2027)
Tendayi Darikwa, 34 (June 2027)
Adam Reach, 33 (June 2027 plus appearance trigger)
Adam Jackson, 32 (June 2027 plus appearance trigger)
Charlie Parks, 19 (June 2027 with two-year club option)

Central Midfielders: (5)
Ivan Varfolomeev, 22 (June 2029)
Conor McGrandles, 30 (June 2028 plus one-year club option)
Tom Bayliss, 27 (June 2028)
Dom Jefferies, 24 (June 2028)
JJ McKiernan, 24 (June 2028)

Oisín Gallagher, 21 (June 2029 plus one-year club option) season loan to Barnet

Wingers: (2)
Oscar Thorn, 22 (June 2029)
Reeco Hackett-Fairchild, 28 (June 2027)

Strikers: (5)
Jack Moylan, 24 (June 2030)
Rob Street, 24 (June 2030)
Ben House, 26 (June 2028 plus option)
Freddie Draper, 21 (June 2028)
James Collins, 35 (June 2027) out until into 2026-27

Zane Okoro, 19 (June 2029) season loan to Tranmere Rovers

Total: 24
Contracted: 27
In on loan: 0
Out on loan: 3

Average age at 30 June 2026: 27 years, 0 months
excluding players out on loan.
.
 
Update following the impending arrival of Andrei Coubiş:

Goalkeepers: (2)
George Wickens, 24 (June 2029 plus one-year club option)
Jamie Pardington, 25 (June 2028)

Zach Jeacock, 25 (June 2029 plus one-year club option) season loan to Northampton Town

Defenders: (11)
Andrei Coubiş, 22 (June 2031)
Ryley Towler, 24 (June 2030)
Deji Elerewe, 22 (June 2029 plus one-year club option)
Tom Hamer, 26 (June 2029)
Josh Honohan, 25 (June 2029)
Callum Elder, 31 (June 2028)
Sonny Bradley, 34 (June 2027)
Tendayi Darikwa, 34 (June 2027)
Adam Reach, 33 (June 2027 plus appearance trigger)
Adam Jackson, 32 (June 2027 plus appearance trigger)
Charlie Parks, 19 (June 2027 with two-year club option)

Central Midfielders: (5)
Ivan Varfolomeev, 22 (June 2029)
Conor McGrandles, 30 (June 2028 plus one-year club option)
Tom Bayliss, 27 (June 2028)
Dom Jefferies, 24 (June 2028)
JJ McKiernan, 24 (June 2028)

Oisín Gallagher, 21 (June 2029 plus one-year club option) season loan to Barnet

Wingers: (2)
Oscar Thorn, 22 (June 2029)
Reeco Hackett-Fairchild, 28 (June 2027)

Strikers: (5)
Jack Moylan, 24 (June 2030)
Rob Street, 24 (June 2030)
Ben House, 26 (June 2028 plus option)
Freddie Draper, 21 (June 2028)
James Collins, 35 (June 2027) out until into 2026-27

Zane Okoro, 19 (June 2029) season loan to Tranmere Rovers

Total: 25
Contracted: 28
In on loan: 0
Out on loan: 3

Average age at 30 June 2026: 26 years, 9 months
excluding players out on loan.
.
 
staceywest.net

Lincoln City Squad Audit: Where The Imps Stand, Position by Position | The Stacey West

The 2026/27 Lincoln City squad is beginning to take shape, but it is not finished yet. There is a core there, and a pretty decent one too
staceywest.net staceywest.net

I agree with Gary here, think we still need at least 4/5 signings.

I reckon we will get a second choice keeper in to put a bit more pressure on Wickens.

At least one extra in midfield, especially now JJ is gone/going (two would be even better) hopefully to provide us with a bit more of a goal threat and pace? Jefferies is one of those unspectacular players that gets in to do a job, often unnoticed between the midfield and as we saw at Cardiff away, on the wings.

The biggest area of concern for me is up top, atm mainly relying on Freddie, Street and injured Collins. So with Moylan usually in the 10, supported by House who seems to be a utility kind of player anywhere up top and then Thorn and Reeco out wide. Thorn is inexperienced but I wouldn’t loan him, I would keep to bring on when the game is stretched, as he has pace to burn and gives us extra height. Overall we still need a lot more experience and some added pace would not go amiss here either.
 
Impish said:
staceywest.net

Lincoln City Squad Audit: Where The Imps Stand, Position by Position | The Stacey West

The 2026/27 Lincoln City squad is beginning to take shape, but it is not finished yet. There is a core there, and a pretty decent one too
staceywest.net staceywest.net

I agree with Gary here, think we still need at least 4/5 signings.

I reckon we will get a second choice keeper in to put a bit more pressure on Wickens.

At least one extra in midfield, especially now JJ is gone/going (two would be even better) hopefully to provide us with a bit more of a goal threat and pace? Jefferies is one of those unspectacular players that gets in to do a job, often unnoticed between the midfield and as we saw at Cardiff away, on the wings.

The biggest area of concern for me is up top, atm mainly relying on Freddie, Street and injured Collins. So with Moylan usually in the 10, supported by House who seems to be a utility kind of player anywhere up top and then Thorn and Reeco out wide. Thorn is inexperienced but I wouldn’t loan him, I would keep to bring on when the game is stretched, as he has pace to burn and gives us extra height. Overall we still need a lot more experience and some added pace would not go amiss here either.
Click to expand...
In my opinion, I can see house leaving to league one, thorn similar even just for 6 months.

I think we should look at the loan market for a decent up and coming striker or two from the prem.
 
Warren_Imp said:
In my opinion, I can see house leaving to league one, thorn similar even just for 6 months..
Click to expand...

I agree on Thorn, but letting House go would be strange.

He’s not the best technically and will never be someone to get 15+ goals, but our last 3 managers have all said how he’s the best ‘presser’ they’ve worked with.

On the basis we’re going to spend a lot of time out of possession this season, I think House will be a valuable member of the squad.
 
TrickyImps! said:
I agree on Thorn, but letting House go would be strange.

He’s not the best technically and will never be someone to get 15+ goals, but our last 3 managers have all said how he’s the best ‘presser’ they’ve worked with.

On the basis we’re going to spend a lot of time out of possession this season, I think House will be a valuable member of the squad.
Click to expand...
Have to agree. Virtually every team in the Championship will try and play out from the back.Pressing them will be very important and House is easily our best player at this.
 
Yep, House won’t be going anywhere I don’t think. If we started the season today, we have a strong (but untested keeper and defence at this level) but good numbers on paper, we would be ok in CM, but up top and out wide we really need to add that bit of extra stardust quality if we can afford it.
 
I largely agree with Gary H on what we need, another centre mid (ideally championship experienced), 2 players who can player in the 3 positions behind the striker - ideally wingers and someone with pace and another forward option. Think keeper addition be a luxury/unlikely due to squad limitations.

We have to keep in mind squad limit of 25 players. Under 21s don’t count, which of current squad would only be Charlie Parks for us. 8 have to be ‘homegrown’ - we are comfortable here. Any loans count in the 25 even if under 21.

We have 25 players at moment. Parks takes us down to 24 who count. JJ going will take us to 23. That gives space for 2 signings age 21 and over. I don’t see us registering Collins start of the season for this reason - that gives us space for 3. Then if we get two wingers in I could see Thorn out on loan. That gives us 4 spaces for a centre mid, 2 wingers and a forward. If we sign any under 21 that keeps a space free.

I therefore don’t see us signing an experienced keeper as others have said due to squad limit unless Jackson or another depart. Only other departure I could see is Bayliss but if he went would expect us to replace with another experienced centre mid. I don’t see these departures happening and think Pardington is genuinely our number 2 unless any other signings we make under age of 21. What I could see is us signing a keeper under age of 21 to give us depth.

Did check if Freddie could be classed as under 21. He can’t, actually his birthday tomorrow!
 
I think Thorn will stay and be a surprise to us this season.

I can see one centre back leaving - Jackson or Hamer, if we get a good offer for him.

Incoming - one midfielder and one striker as permanents, and two squad players in on loan (one midfied and one wide player).
 
Update following the overdue departure of JJ McKiernan:

Goalkeepers: (2)
George Wickens, 24 (June 2029 plus one-year club option)
Jamie Pardington, 25 (June 2028)

Zach Jeacock, 25 (June 2029 plus one-year club option) season loan to Northampton Town

Defenders: (11)
Andrei Coubiş, 22 (June 2031)
Ryley Towler, 24 (June 2030)
Deji Elerewe, 22 (June 2029 plus one-year club option)
Tom Hamer, 26 (June 2029)
Josh Honohan, 25 (June 2029)
Callum Elder, 31 (June 2028)
Sonny Bradley, 34 (June 2027)
Tendayi Darikwa, 34 (June 2027)
Adam Reach, 33 (June 2027 plus appearance trigger)
Adam Jackson, 32 (June 2027 plus appearance trigger)
Charlie Parks, 19 (June 2027 with two-year club option)

Central Midfielders: (4)
Ivan Varfolomeev, 22 (June 2029)
Conor McGrandles, 30 (June 2028 plus one-year club option)
Tom Bayliss, 27 (June 2028)
Dom Jefferies, 24 (June 2028)

Oisín Gallagher, 21 (June 2029 plus one-year club option) season loan to Barnet

Wingers: (2)
Oscar Thorn, 22 (June 2029)
Reeco Hackett-Fairchild, 28 (June 2027)

Strikers: (5)
Jack Moylan, 24 (June 2030)
Rob Street, 24 (June 2030)
Ben House, 26 (June 2028 plus option)
Freddie Draper, 21 (June 2028)
James Collins, 35 (June 2027) out until into 2026-27

Zane Okoro, 19 (June 2029) season loan to Tranmere Rovers

Total: 24
Contracted: 27
In on loan: 0
Out on loan: 3

Average age at 30 June 2026: 26 years, 11 months
excluding players out on loan.
.
 
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