Lincoln v Portsmouth: early team news ahead of Sincil Bank fixture

Vice-captain Brown has been absent since the start of December with an Achilles complaint that required surgery.

His last game came against Peterborough on December 7, but he was declared fit to make the trip to Lincoln.

SEE ALSO: Brown back for Pompey duty at Lincoln - but has a battle to dislodge Birmingham loanee Seddon

On-loan Rangers midfielder McCrorie last played in the 1-0 win against Ipswich on December 21.

He suffered a hamstring problem in that game – his second such injury of the season – but is available for selection after returning to Ibrox for treatment.

Andy Cannon is also free to face the Imps after he came off in Saturday’s game against Barnsley with a groin issue.

For the hosts, Lincoln boss Michael Appleton was hoping to further add to his squad ahead of the visit of the Blues – but time ran out.

A new centre-back is on his list of priorities ahead of the transfer window deadline, with ‘two or three other positions’ identified for improving.

Yet the Imps failed to complete any new deals for them to feature against the Blues tonight.

Appleton has been busy, with four new faces brought in already this month, including Tom Hooper, Tays Edun, Tyreece John-Jules and Conor Coventry.

They could all start against Kenny Jackett’s side, as should current top-scorer Tyler Walker (16 goals).

However, the striker could be recalled by parent club Nottingham Forest before the close of the transfer window.

Former Blues forward John Akinde has already left after he joined Gillingham last week.