PREVIEW: Town have the upper hand over Imps

Since the turn of the 1900s, Hatters have only ever been beaten once on home soil by City in 13 attempts and that defeat came in the 1998-99 season.

The Imps have provided rich pickings for Town with the hosts recording eight wins and four draws from the other 12 visits.

It’s been a pretty dreadful time for Lincoln recently as they went out of the Football League last season and have made an less than convincing start to life in the Conference with just one win so far as they sit second from bottom in the table

Pressure is building on Imps manager Steve Tilson, who has already returned 24 defeats from his 45 games in charge, including a 2-0 home reverse to Kettering last time out.

The boss has rebuilt his whole squad over the summer, releasing the majority of the playing personnel from last season and bringing in a host of new faces including Kyle Perry, John Nutter, Alan Power, Simon Russell and Jamie Taylor, but as of yet, they haven’t managed to find their form.

Team news: Jamie Hand returns from suspension after missing the win at AFC Telford United in midweek, but Ed Asafu-Adjaye is out due to his red card picked up in the second half on Tuesday night.

George Pilkington enjoyed his first day back in training this week, but still misses out, while Curtis Osano has joined Shane Blackett, Freddie Murray, Dan Gleeson and Charlie Henry in the treatment room.

For Lincoln, full back Jean Christophe is also banned after being sent off against Kettering, while Francis Laurent and Tony Sinclair are not expected to feature.

Striker Jamie Taylor is struggling with an injury picked up in training, while Andy Hutchinson remains a doubt with his groin injury.

In charge: Steve Tilson – something of a legend at Southend United after making almost 250 appearances in his time at Roots Hall, before also managing the club for seven years, leading them to the Football League Trophy final where they were defeated by Blackpool.

The 45-year-old took the Shrimpers to the Championship and a victory over Manchester United in the League Cup during his time in charge, but eventually left in July 2010.

He wasn’t out of work for too long though as Tilson was appointed Lincoln City manager in October 2010.

Opposition view: Steve Tilson - “Yes it’s not going to be easy and under any circumstance whether you are at the top or the bottom, I think you would be happy to go to Luton and nick a point.

“They have just started to hit a bit of form on the back of bringing in some quality players and they are entitled to be looking for promotion given the money they have spent.

“I don’t think it is the be all and end all in terms of the money. AFC Wimbledon spent money and won promotion, so it does help, there is no doubt about it.

“We know it is going to be a hard game, but it might be one where we are not the favourites going into it and, who knows, it actually might take some pressure off the players.”

One to watch: Kyle Perry – imposing centre forward who was signed from Tamworth in the summer, where he scored against Luton last season in the Lambs 3-1 win.

Started his career at Chasetown before moving to Port Vale, Northwich and then Mansfield before joining Tamworth where he netted an impressive 17 times last campaign.

Has three goals to his name already, but the 25-year-old has gone four games since hitting the target.

Familiar faces: Hatters new signing Jamie Hand had a year at Lincoln in the 2007-08 season making 26 appearances for the Imps.

Top goalscorers: Amari Morgan-Smith (6) – Kyle Perry (3).

Last time out: Hatters enjoyed a 3-2 win over Lincoln in their last meeting at Kenilworth Road on December 28, 2008.

A quickfire double from Chris Martin put Luton 2-0 up before Lenell John-Lewis pulled one back on 38 minutes.

Ian Roper made it 3-1 after the break, and a last minute strike from Adrian Patulea couldn’t prevent Luton’s win.

Team: Conrad Logan, Ian Roper, Rossi Jarvis, Lewis Emmanuel , George Beavon, Michael Spillane, Keith Keane, Drew Talbot (Jake Howells 75), Kevin Gallen, Chris Martin, Tom Craddock.

Attendance: 6,643

William Hill Odds: Luton win 3/1 – Lincoln win 11/2 – Draw 11/4