By Nathan Jackson
March 2 2005

Imps defender Ben Futcher is set to return from injury and is determined to help the team secured at least a playoff place in what will be his final games for the club.

Futcher has recovered quickly after a freak accident in training with controversial striker Marcus Richardson and looks set to return for Saturday's game with Wycombe Wanderers. Futcher is set to play in today's reserve fixture at Halifax Town. If Futcher does return to first team action on Saturday, he will begin his first of the last 11 games of his City career (unless City reach the playoff in which case it would turn in 13 with a potential 14th)

Futcher put himself on the transfer list last May after a 2nd failed playoff campaign and despite attempts from Keith to get him to sign a new contract to avoid him leaving on a free, the tall defender will leave on a Bosman once his contract expires in July with League One promotion chasers, Hull City being his most likely pursuers.

However, Futcher's commitment to the cause has been flawless as his form hasn't dipped and now he's looked forward to being back in action.

"I can't wait for tomorrow because I'm desperate to get a game under my belt," Futcher told the Lincolnshire Echo. "I'm heading balls in training and there's no problem, but I need to test myself in a game. I'm not setting any targets for coming back and there's good competition for places at the back, what with Paul Morgan, Jamie McCombe, Gareth McAuley and now Lee Beevers arriving from Boston United. Fingers crossed everything will go OK tomorrow and then it will be the gaffer's decision."

With Futcher leaving at the end of the season, it will leave Simon Yeo as the only player to have signed just after Keith took over just after the 2001/2 season and even his future is still in doubt. Fellow signings Simon Weaver, Scott Willis and Dene Cropper have all moved on. Futcher's Lincoln career, like many other Keith's management has attracted the attention of several higher division clubs with Burnley, Hull, Aston Villa, Bolton and Peterborough all being interested in the defender although Peterborough were the only team to make an official bid for him. Futcher has played 114 league games for the Imps scoring 14 league goals including ending the 2002/3 season as leading scorer for the club. Futcher's city highlights include giving the Imps the goal in 1-0 wins over Scunthorpe and Southend as well as winners in several other games however, his most important goal was the one that made it 1-1 in the playoff final against Bournemouth even though the final score was 5-2.