Barbrook to End Lincoln Loan Early
Friday, 12th Dec 2025 11:05

Lincoln City director of football Jez George has revealed that on-loan Town midfielder Fin Barbrook will return to the Blues in January.

Barbrook, 21, joined the Imps on what was meant to be a season-long loan in August but has made only three EFL Trophy [Vertu Trophy] appearances for the League One side.

“We brought Fin Barbrook in because we knew that Dom Jefferies was a medium-term injury,” George told the Stacey West Podcast. “We didn’t expect him back till November. The same with Frankie [Okoronkwo, who is on loan from Everton], with Jack Moylan.

“Jack’s back. Dom’s back. So, assuming nothing dramatic happens between now and the first of January, they’re both situations that we’re going to look at.

“Fin hasn’t had any minutes with us in the league, but he played minutes for Ipswich in the Carabao Cup. When you play in the EFL Trophy, it doesn’t count towards the two-club rule per season.

“We’ve made an agreement with Ipswich. Fin’s got a knock. He could possibly be fit for that last week of December. But realistically, that’s not right for us to stop him then going on loan somewhere else in the second half of the season. So Fin will go back to Ipswich.”

Barbrook has continued to play regularly for Town’s U21s during his spell on loan at Sincil Bank, a number of other League One sides having shown interest in taking him prior to his switch to the Imps.

Photo: Matchday Images

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d77sgw added 12:10 - Dec 12 Looked good in pre-season and could do a job as a holding midfielder if/when Azor and Tayls get suspended
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poet added 15:48 - Dec 12 I’m not a fan of this lad, if he were good enough I’m sure Lincoln would have given him more starts. When I’ve watched him play, I would describe him as a mediocre performer. If other division one clubs are genuinely interested in him, then for me, that’s where he needs to go. For me, he’s certainly not good enough to fit into our current first team squad.
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StowTractor added 17:44 - Dec 12

poet he was very good against Charlton in the pre season friendly at Col Utd ground. When exactly have you watched him play? He has never played for the first team before this season and has been very good for the U21s in PL2. So basically you are judging him solely on his performance v Bromley, when much more established players also had off days?

I wish we had him available against Charlton in the League when Matusiwa was suspended.
I would give him a run out v Blackpool in the FA Cup.

armchaircritic59 added 18:10 - Dec 12

That was a total waste of time, Fin could have gone elsewhere and got some proper game time. If Jez George is a good judge of a player and he's happy to let him go, I'm not sure what that say's about Fin? Not good enough for a league one team? I've not seen the lad play, so I can't offer a comment on that, though I've seen others speak well of him, such as a couple of posters above. All will be revealed soon I expect.

smudge57 added 19:52 - Dec 12 Agree with Stow Tractor. Looked good against Bromley, gave 100%.
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poet added 10:08 - Dec 13

Slow Tractor, what we have here is a conflict of opinion. I’ve watched many young players over the years. You obviously disagree with me, of course that’s your prerogative, but my opinion on him hasn’t changed. I fall back on my comment that Lincoln didn’t rate him that highly, if they had, I’m certain they’d have utilised him to a higher potential.

I’d be very surprised if he ever makes higher than first division or perhaps lower level Championship. The suggestions on here that he would make good cover for Matusiwa or Taylor in my opinion, is way off the mark. For a start Humphrey’s is much further up in the pecking order, and is a much more talented player. It certainly wouldn’t be fair on him to put him in there.

I think a lot of people get carried away with young players, simply just because they are young, many fall short of what is required. I hope he has a great career.

armchaircritic59 added 14:35 - Dec 13

Poet, as I said, I can't offer an opinion on FB as I've not seen him play, but I completely agree with you about many young players falling short of expectations ( often unfairly, as those expectations are often put onto their shoulders by others ). I think I could produce a very long list, but I'd be here most of the day. You just have to hope that they end up getting regular game time at whatever level they are capable of competing at.