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Barnet will have their regular central defensive pairing of skipper Ismail Yakubu and Player of the Year Joe Devera back in place against Lincoln City to shore up an injury-hit back four line that has conceded 20 goals in six matches to date, 16 of them away from home.

 

"Thi is a massive boost", said manager Paul Fairclough when he announced the news after training on Friday.

 

Yakubu missed the games at Chester City and Dagenham & Redbridge - nine goals against - with a recurring groin problem and physiotherapist Mark Stein at first feared that he would be sidelined for another week or two until a return visit to a consultant next week.

 

With central defender newcomer Jeremy de Magalhaes ruled out for 3-6 weeks after only one game, the Bees paired Michael Leary and on-loan Aswad Thomas at Dagenham.

 

Now the first choice pairing of Yakubu and Devera, who had a tight muscle in his backside, will take on a Lincoln side that lost their first three League 2 games but gained a point with a 1-1n draw last weekend against Grimsby Town.

 

The manager is playing his cards close to his chest about his goalkeeping choice, although he commented that Israeli keeper Ran Kadoch could not be faulted for any of Dagenham's goals.

 

Although Rob Beckwith was the substitute in midweek, the likelihood is that the decision for tomorrow will be between the evergreen Lee Harrison and newcomer Kadoch.

 

Dennis Signy

 

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