Goalkeeper Scott Flinders has praised the manner in which newcomer Joe Rodon has slotted into the Cheltenham defence – but warned that competition for every place is now stronger than ever.
Rodon joined the Robins before transfer deadline day and has impressed in his first two games for the club – away to Grimsby and home to Port Vale.
He said: “Joe (Rodon) has slotted in really well. It is a big change going from Under-23s to senior football, but he has done brilliantly.
“Credit to him as well as Swansea’s Academy. It’s a big step up and hopefully that continues. He hasn’t looked out of place one bit and we hope his career can blossom from now on.
“There are a lot of smiles this morning, but we know it is another important game at Lincoln,” added Flinders.
“I played at Lincoln when they won the league last year and it was buzzing. I also have a really good friend who is a Lincoln fan so he has given me a bit of grief.
“We go with confidence and they will have that too; with the Wembley trip to look forward to and pushing for the play-offs. We know what they are all about and it’s a tough game.
“They are good going forward, but defensively we have been solid recently.
“We have got to be on our guard this week. They (Lincoln) have direct players so it is going to be a big night for the lads at the back.”
Cheltenham will be bolstered by the availability of Taylor Moore and Danny Wright this Tuesday evening, with both players having completed three-match bans.
And Flinders acknowledges that after the five-star display at the weekend – and impact of the substitutes bench – selection will not be easy.
“The gaffer has a headache coming - but that is how it should be,” he said.
“You need competition for places and Saturday’s performance gives you that.
“Elijah Adebayo and Nigel Atangana made a massive impact at the weekend when they came on. It gives you that fresh spark going into the final period of the second half.
“We have a strong squad and, to be honest, I feel we have underachieved and should be higher. But we have strength in depth now and that can only be a good thing.”