Lincoln v Grimsby preview

Torres: Injury doubt

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Lincoln manager Chris Sutton looks unlikely to have on-loan Sergio Torres available to face relegation-rivals Grimsby.

The Argentinean picked up an ankle injury in last weekend's controversial 1-1 draw with Cheltenham at Sincil Bank.

The void left by the on-loan Peterborough midfielder is likely to be filled by Khano Smith, who has only started twice for the Imps since joining them on a free transfer in October.

Meanwhile, striker Rene Howe is nursing a knock and is in a battle to be fit in time.

If he fails, it is likely Chris Fagan will line-up alongside Jamie Clarke, who scored a hat-trick against Grimsby for Accrington Stanley last season.

At the heart of defence, Janos Kovacs and Nathan Baker look set to deputise after Adam Watts missed last week's match and Sutton will also be without Eric Lichaj and Aaron Brown through suspension.

Mariners news

Grimsby have made a double swoop ahead of the clash, bringing in Nicky Featherstone and Michael Coulson on loan deals.

Hull midfielder Featherstone will remain with the Mariners until 4th January while Coulson, a highly-rated Barnsley striker, joins on an initial one-month loan deal.

Both are set to go straight into the squad for the game and caretaker manager Neil Woods will be hoping they can provide some much needed firepower after seeing his side score just one goal in their past three matches.

But the Mariners will be without Rob Atkinson, a regular in the heart of their back four, after he was sent off at Northampton.

Defender Robbie Stockdale (thigh) is out, as are strikers Nathan Jarman (foot) and Adam Proudlock (ankle).