This is why Lincoln City have swooped to make emergency signing ahead of Sunderland play-off clash

Palmer has been ruled out of the first leg against Sunderland on Wednesday evening due to concussion protocols, and the EFL have granted Lincoln permission to bring in Bursik.

The Stoke City goalkeeper is an England U21 goalkeeper who has featured 15 times for the Championship club this season.

This is his second emergency loan of 2021, having played a key part in Peterborough United's surge for automatic promotion after an injury to Christy Pym.

Palmer has made 56 appearances in all competitions this season.

Back-up goalkeeper Ethan Ross, who featured twice in the Papa John's Trophy for Michael Appleton's side, was loaned to Weymouth in the National League at the start of January until the end of the current campaign.

Youngster Sam Long, who has recently been Palmer's back-up on the bench, has never made a senior appearance for the Imps.

A Lincoln City statement read: "Following a head injury to Alex Palmer in training, the club have followed the concussion protocols, and can confirm that we have asked the EFL for dispensation to sign a goalkeeper on an emergency loan deal.

"Therefore, we can conclude that we have signed goalkeeper Josef Bursik on an emergency loan from Stoke City. The England U21 international has joined City ahead of tomorrow’s EFL Sky Bet League One Play-Off Semi Final versus Sunderland.

"Josef will wear the number 21 shirt and is available for selection tomorrow night."

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