Lincoln City caretaker-manager Simon Clark was at the Town reserve game against Stevenage Borough yesterday to run the rule over some of the Blues’ fringe players. Bryan Klug’s men won the game 6-2 with Reggie Lambe netting a hat-trick and Ed Upson, Colin Healy and Luke Hyam all scoring once.
Clark, who also watched Norwich's reserves on Tuesday, says he has identified several targets: "We took in a couple of reserve team games and we have identified four players, two from Ipswich and two from Norwich, with Football League experience and I will be speaking to their representatives."
Lincolnshire sources are linking Healy with a short-term spell at Sincil Bank with the former Cork man having failed to make an impression since joining the Blues in the summer. The former Cork man scored a superb chip in yesterday's game and did well playing in a role behind lone striker Lambe.
The Bermudian international and Upson may be amongst a number of players Town would want to send out on loan to gain first team experience, with representatives from other clubs also likely to have been at Portman Road yesterday.
Upson spent a short spell with yesterday’s opponents last season but made only one fleeting first team appearance while at Broadhall Way.
Summer signings Shane O’Connor and Troy Brown, along with academy product Jack Ainsley, who signed his first professional contract with the Blues during the close season, may also be players the Town management may look to loan out during the season.
Lambe, Upson, O’Connor and Ainsley all made their senior debuts in the Carling Cup tie at Shrewsbury with Upson also featuring in the second round tie at Peterborough.
Meanwhile, former Town loanee Danny Simpson appears unlikely to make his return to Portman Road with Newcastle on Saturday due to an ankle injury. The Manchester United man has been given only an outside chance of being involved against the Blues.