Spalding United have swooped to sign two young Lincoln City players on loan for a month.
Tulips chief Pat Rayment confirmed that short-term deals have been given to midfielder Elliot Hodge and striker Alex Simmons, who both trained at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field on Tuesday night.
Hodge is the son of former England, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham left-sider Steve, while Simmons’ father Tony is Lincoln United’s all-time leading goalscorer.
The moves have forced Rayment to send Ryan Oliver out for some game time in the UCL Premier Division, with both Boston Town and Deeping Rangers, who he is registered with, likely destinations.
Still, Rayment reckons that adding Hodge and Simmons, who recently enjoyed a loan spell at Boston United, to his ranks has provided the “shake-up” his squad needed after last weekend’s loss to Tividale – and ahead of Saturday’s trip to Evo-Stik League First Division South title rivals Mickleover Sports (3pm).
He said: “The two Lincoln lads trained last night and looked very sharp.
“I felt that a bit of a shake-up was required as we enter the business end of the season. We’re still looking at bringing one more player in and there may be another departure too.
“For me, a big game at Mickleover is the ideal game for us after such a poor performance against Tividale.
“The likes of Mickleover and Leek Town have ascended to the top end of the table with us and are our main rivals, I think.
“I still believe this squad can win the title. We’ve just lost a 15 game unbeaten run, but I’m confident that we can start another one against Mickleover.”
The Tulips are still without striker Jordan Hempenstall, who could now face months on the sideline with a knee injury.
Rayment has called the injury a “devastating blow”.
