Ground: Sincil Bank

Capacity: 10,900

Last season: 23rd in Div 2

Manager/chairman: John Reames

Ins: Dave Barnett defender from Port Vale,free; Steve Welsh defender from Ayr United, free.

Outs: Kevin Austin defender to Barnsley on Bosman; Dean Walling defender to Doncaster £25,000.

Chances: A change of direction is said to be blowing through the Sincil Bank head-quarters of the Red Imps. Noted for their more physical approach, which gained them a place in Division Two last season before an immediate fall, Lincoln's pre-season has reportedly been greeted by more of a cultured approach. However, their defence has suffered badly through the departures of key personnel and with resources limited the dual role occupied by manager and chairman John Reames could prove too onerous. The loss of Kevin Austin is a blow, however, he has captured a bundle of experience in 32-year-old centre back Dave Barnett, whom Reames described as having an "awesome presence" from Port Vale One to watch: Terry Fleming. Captain and midfield motor, whose inspiration will be needed to avoid a second successive campaign of heart-ache.

Title odds: 14-1.