Ian Pearce set to miss Hereford clash as Imps' injury problems deepen

An injury to defender Ian Pearce looks set to leave Lincoln City manager Chris Sutton with just two fit centre-backs for Friday's home clash against Hereford.

The Imps boss revealed yesterday that Pearce is poised to miss several weeks with a hamstring injury, while Aston Villa loan star Nathan Baker is out for another month. Adam Watts is already out for the season with a broken fibula.

To compound those blows, the Lincoln boss also said that star midfielder Chris Herd had only a 'real outside chance' to make Friday's League Two clash.

Herd limped off in first-half stoppage time during the 1-1 draw at Rochdale on Saturday, while Pearce, despite playing the full 90 minutes, damaged his hamstring and was visibly struggling towards the end of the encounter at Spotland.

The Imps are still in the thick of the League Two relegation battle, sitting eight points above the second relegation spot, which is being occupied by Grimsby.

Sutton said the injuries to two key figures of his team were not ideal.

"Ian has damaged his hamstring and he looks like he could be out for a while," said the City boss, who celebrates his 37th birthday tomorrow.

"Chris hurt his ankle but has been telling me that he feels okay and that the swelling has gone down.

"He was having a scan yesterday and we were going to have a look at it, but, at this stage, I would say he would be a real outside bet for the Hereford game."

For the full story, read today's Lincolnshire Echo.