Will Spanish trialist Joan Luque land a deal with Lincoln City?
Danny Cowley has been impressed
Imps trialist Joan Luque (Image: Chris Vaughan/CameraSport)
Danny Cowley is giving serious consideration to offering a deal to Spanish trialist Joan Luque.
The former Heybridge Swifts forward has been with the Imps since early on in pre-season, playing on the left side of midfield or up front.
Although he was an unused substitute in the 1-0 victory at Scunthorpe United, the 26-year-old is set to play in Tuesday's home game against a Derby County XI (2pm kick-off).
Cowley, who wants to add a left-sided player to his squad, will then make a decision on Luque's future.
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"He's done really well, I've been impressed with him throughout pre-season," said Cowley.
"Technically, he's an excellent footballer, he has a real calmness and composure and can execute under pressure.
"He's really good around the goal and has good technical quality with his finishing.
"As a Spanish boy, he's still trying to adapt to, as he puts it, the 'crazy way' the English play football.
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"In Spain, there's a much calmer approach. When they give the ball away, they get into a good shape because, as he puts it, the other side doesn't try to score with one pass. Instead, they try to keep the ball and create positional attacks.
"But he's enjoying the crazy nature of it and he's certainly adapting to it. We'll see what next week brings.
"He's play on Tuesday against Derby and we'll make the final call off the back of that."
Imps trialist Joan Luque in action against Boston (Image: Chris Vaughan/CameraSport)
Luque first came to England last summer after enrolling on a football camp called 'England, THE Chance' which gives Spanish players who want to play in this country the opportunity to showcase their skills.
The camp is run in conjunction with Heybridge Swifts and their manager Jody Brown, who recommended Luque to Cowley.
"Heybridge is only about ten minutes from my house in Chelmsford and I know their manager, Jody Brown, who is a good guy and a very good manager. He speaks very highly of him," said Cowley.
"There have been quite a few clubs who are interested in taking him, but he's been with us and has done really well. He was excellent against Boston [on Tuesday]."
Cowley is looking for a couple of signings, which could include Luque, before the League Two opener at Northampton next Saturday.
But following the recent arrivals of John Akinde, Scott Wharton and Shay McCartan, the Imps boss is re-assessing his squad.
"We'd like one or two ideally, but sometimes, when you sign a few in quick succession, you want to take a picture of it and see how it affects the dynamic in the dressing room and also on the pitch," said Cowley.
"Then you've got a clearer idea of what you need. As we haven't got much money to play with, we've got to beg, steal and borrow."