Tyreece John-Jules picked up a bit of a groin injury on his debut for Lincoln City, but his manager hopes he’ll return this weekend.
Arsenal loanee John-Jules made his competitive debut for League One Lincoln on Saturday, but he picked up an injury in the process. He created a couple of chances and played well, before coming off in the 65th minute.
As it turns out, that was due to a groin issue. The striker missed the following game against Bolton Wanderers, watching on from the stands. Lincoln boss Michael Appleton explained why before the game.
“He’s got a bit of a groin injury,” Appleton said. “It’s not got worse since Saturday, but I think he was a little bit concerned with it. Let’s hope that Saturday he is available again and selection for places is harder.”
Lincoln ended up winning 5-1 on the night, with Tyler Walker scoring his sixth goal in five games. Appleton thinks the threat of competition from John-Jules is helping push Walker on.
“Tyler’s in a really good place at the minute and I think it helps that Tyreece has come into the building,” Appleton admitted. “That adds a bit of competition for places. Whoever plays out of the three [Walker, John-Jules and John Akinde] I know I can rely on them.”
From an Arsenal point of view, we obviously hope John-Jules displaces Walker or Akinde sooner rather than later. If his presence pushes the other two on to play better and lifts the mood at the club, that’s a positive too though.
For now, he just needs to focus on getting back fit. It’s never good to start off a loan spell with an injury, but it doesn’t sound too serious, at least.