BLUES boss Paul Lambert has called on his players not to get caught up in the emotion of tomorrow's big match at Lincoln.

The match will be the last for City boss Peter Jackson before he starts treatment for throat cancer.

And it is sure to be an emotion-charged afternoon with the Lincoln players determined to win it for their chief - who will be crowned League Two manager of the month before the game.

But Lambert says his players must put sentiment and emotion to one side for 90 minutes.

He said: "It is such a shock whenever someone in football gets a serious illness. You don't expect it because you think football people are always fit but they are human beings like everyone else, just normal people.

"We just hope everything works out for him. It is a terrible thing and we just hope he gets the right treatment and recovers from it."

Jackson will be presented with a mammoth Get Well Card from the Imps fans - and other events are planned, but Lambert says he and his team must remain professional while the game is on.

He said: "The players know they've got a job to do and then afterwards like everyone else will be wishing Peter all the best.

"It's going to be a tough afternoon, but he Jackson wouldn't want us to treat this game any differently than any other.

"After the match, of course we will be wishing him all the best and he will be in our thoughts but while the match is on we have got to be professional."

Jackson is hoping to mark his final game at the helm with victory before he hands over the reigns to ex-Wycombe Wanderer Iffy Onoura.

Under Jackson, Lincoln have enjoyed a fabulous February, winning five of their six games and moving up to 16th in the table.

Blues defender Russell Martin said: "Lincoln players and supporters will be wanting to win this one for him.

"They're going to really come at us. It'll be an extra motivation factor for them and we are going to have defend like we did at Rochdale.

"It is going to be a strange afternoon. What has happened to Peter puts football and everything else into perspective.

"I'm sure most people at Wycombe will know someone who has cancer but when someone in football has a life-threatening illness it's a shock.

"I wish him all the best for a speedy recovery and after the game I will seek him out to wish him well in his recovery like I'm sure the rest of the lads will do.

"But for 90 minutes there can't be any time for feelings and he will know and respect that because he is a football man."

Lincoln will be without ex-Blues striker Mark Stallard. He starts a three-match ban following his red card in defeat against Rotherham.