Callum Elder is looking forward to getting his first season as an Imp underway when City travel to Derby County in the first round of the Carabao Cup on Saturday.
The left-back returns to Pride Park after spending the last three seasons with the Rams and is expecting a tough test against a side that narrowly missed out on the Sky Bet Championship play-offs.
He said: “Derby are a Championship club that narrowly missed out on the play-offs so they’ll be looking to go one better. It’ll be a great test for us and we’re really excited about it.
“I’ve got nothing but respect for Derby County. Fantastic fanbase, group of players and staff so it’ll be good to go back, but I’m excited to go back there as a Lincoln City player and I’m looking to win on Saturday.”
After joining the Imps this summer, Elder says he has settled in quickly and credits his new teammates and staff for helping him feel at home during pre-season.
He added: “It’s been a bit of a change for me moving clubs but I feel like I’ve integrated really well. Everyone at the club has made me feel really welcome.
“It’s been really good to get a block of pre-season training and games but the real stuff starts on Saturday so everyone is raring to go.”
Elder also had positive words for fellow summer signing Mason Melia, who linked up with the squad for the first time on Thursday after he completed a season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur.
He said: “He trained with the lads on Thursday. He looks really good and he’s a confident boy. It’s great to have him in the building and hopefully he can progress and develop.”
