'This has happened about six or seven times': Sunderland fans react as Lincoln sign Stoke City stopper who has featured for Peterborough

The Imps have brought in Stoke City stopper Josef Bursik, who has also played for Peterborough this season, on an emergency loan deal after regular keeper Alex Palmer suffered a concussion in training.

There are special rules that allow clubs to make a signing when they have no available goalkeepers – but they do not extend to other areas of the field.

Here’s how some Sunderland fans reacted to the news on social media.

@richy_choc: He'll have a blinder tomorrow..just watch !

@imdannygavin: His 4th club of the season….. surely there is a limit as to how many you can play for

@LukeMorgan96: No way Lincoln have loaned the keeper Peterborough got on an emergency loan as well.

@marathon_mick69: If we are worrying about Lincoln bringing in back up goalies we're in big trouble

@eab1992: So another team signed a keeper on an emergency loan on the eve of playing us. What a coincidence.

@APurcell92: This seems to be happening more and more now. I assume, of course, that Lincoln literally have no other goalkeepers on their books?

@calvinfox96: He played a few games for them this season, conceding five in two games. Hardly a game changer.

@beston_thomas: Less than 24 hours to kick-off and they can do this absolute joke

@notch_32: Surely they have a number two keeper?

@MJacko1989: This has happened about six or seven times against us since we’ve been in League One!

A message from the Football Clubs Editor

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Sunderland AFC coverage 365 days a year.

This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription to our new sports-only package here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor