Lincoln City should snub player contract option - Michael Skubala's pecking order speaks volumes | OneFootball

Lincoln City have the option to extend Ben House’s stay at the club for another season, with his contract expiring this summer.

Lincoln City have the option to extend Ben House’s stay at the club for another season, with his contract expiring this summer.

The Imps' striker has struggled for goals and could leave at the end of the current term, as his future rests in the hands of the decision makers at Sincil Bank.

A move away could suit both parties, with House struggling for goals and not a favoured member of Lincoln’s front two, and other options having more upside.

Ben House struggling in front of goal

The 25-year-old centre-forward scored for the first time in 133 days when he netted the opener in Lincoln’s eventual 3-2 loss to promotion candidates Stockport County in the final away day of the term.

The last time he found the back of the net before that was against Huddersfield Town in December, speaking to his lack of cutting edge in front of goal this season.

House has found himself pulled back into midfield by Lincoln head coach Michael Skubala at times, perhaps making better use of one of his top qualities: his pressing.

For every time the Scotsman misses a chance, he can make up for it with his quality in the press. This is a vital part of the Imps’ game under former Leeds United caretaker boss Skubala, and is something that is a mark in the positive column for House.

However, an injury-hit season last time out saw him net just twice in Sky Bet League One, while 40 appearances have brought just six goals for House in 2024/25 with a single game left to play.

Rob Street return knocks him down the pecking order

Youngster Jovon Makama is certainly above House in the pecking order, while fellow Imps academy graduate Freddie Draper is perhaps on his way to being so as well.

January recruit James Collins, who has more goals per 90 minutes than any other League One player this season, is the top choice for Skubala.

And, after Rob Street’s successful loan stint at Doncaster Rovers, where his goals have helped Grant McCann’s side to promotion out of League Two, he will surely come back to Lincoln higher in the ranks than a faltering House and with confidence on his side.

That could leave the former Eastleigh man as the fifth choice striker for the Imps, and in a side that plays no more than two at any given time, he may find his appearances cut next term.

A move away would be best for all involved

While the 2022/23 season saw House hit double-figures of goals for the first time in his senior career, he has not managed to reach the same heights since.

Instead, the former Scotland youth international has been left struggling for consistency in the final third.

He has started 33 of his 40 games so far this term, proving that it is not a lack of opportunities that has seen the powerful striker without goals.

Despite a poor season and change of role within the Lincoln line-up, there is still a very capable striker in House ready to come out. His exploits two seasons ago prove that, and his work off the ball continues to be exceptional.

But, with a bad run of form, other options taking his place within the Imps squad, a move away from the LNER Stadium could be best for House as well as Lincoln themselves.

There is no doubting his ability, and there is plenty of fuel left in the tank of his career at just 25 years old, but a clean slate and new club could be the push needed to return House to his prior glory.