Manchester United loanee Ethan Wheatley is closing in on a return to fitness after injury interrupted his spell at Lincoln City, but is only likely to return after the international break.
Head coach Chris Cohen told press he expects the striker to be available by the end of the November international break, but an earlier comeback is still possible.
Ethan Wheatley injury latest
The 20-year-old has made just one appearance since joining the Championship club, playing the final five minutes of their League Cup tie at Blackpool after replacing Tanto Olaofe. He subsequently picked up an injury before the trip to Sheffield United earlier this month and is still waiting to make his league debut for the Imps.
Wheatley has endured a similar setback to Tottenham Hotspur loanee Mason Melia, whose own injury problems have restricted him to four appearances. Discussing the pair’s progress, Cohen offered encouragement over their recovery/
“He and Ethan Wheatley have been really unfortunate,” Cohen said. “They probably didn’t get the game time they’d wanted at the start, and then both picked up knocks that have kept them out.”
The update suggests Lincoln could have both forwards available when Championship action resumes against Wrexham on November 21. Cohen also stressed the value of having additional options as he and fellow head coach Tom Shaw assess their attacking selections.
“They’re both closing in on a return over the next few weeks, definitely by the time we come back from the international break, hopefully before that. Mason will be with us soon, and we look forward to having him back again.
“The more competition for places for me and Tom to decide the best selection for each game, the better. It’s important for us, so hopefully we’ll get them both back really quickly.”
Manchester United academy graduate faces competition
Stockport-born Wheatley became Manchester United‘s 250th academy graduate to represent their first team when he made his senior debut against Sheffield United in April 2024. That appearance came the day after he scored twice in the Under-18 Premier League Cup final, while he also won United’s Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award that season.
Lincoln is his fourth loan club, following spells with Walsall, Northampton Town and Bradford City. He scored three goals during his time with Northampton before being recalled and joining Bradford for the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign. Wheatley has also represented England up to Under-20 level, having previously played for the Under-17s, Under-18s and Under-19s.
However, recovering his fitness will only be the first step towards securing regular football at Sincil Bank. Olaofe is fit but has not featured since the goalless draw with Blackburn Rovers, underlining the competition Wheatley will face.
Lincoln have ten matches between the Wrexham fixture and New Year’s Day. That schedule could offer Wheatley an opportunity to establish himself after such a frustrating opening to his loan.
