Lincoln City vs Oldham Athletic AFC - Defensive poser for Lincoln as Raggett starts suspension

Posted Sunday, December 04, 2016 by PA

Lincoln are facing a defensive crisis ahead of Monday's FA Cup tie against Oldham as Sean Raggett serves the first game of a three-match ban.

Callum Howe is also unavailable having already played in the competition for Southport and manager Danny Cowley has not ruled out calling upon 33-year-old player-coach Jamie McCombe for the game.

The Vanarama National League leaders beat Altrincham 2-1 to reach the second round of the competition for the first time in four years and are currently unbeaten in 14 matches.

Oldham boss Stephen Robinson will hope the extra time without a game can allow him to welcome back Brian Wilson and Paul Green.

Latics' League One fixture with Peterborough last weekend was postponed due to a frozen pitch and Wilson (groin) and Green (calf) were both struggling to make the contest anyway.

Green was free from suspension for that fixture and skipper Peter Clarke is one of four players who can breathe easy about a possible ban themselves having reached the cut-off point one caution away from a one-game suspension.

Oldham will be bidding to reach the third round for the first time since 2013-14, when they were beaten by Liverpool at Anfield.