Lincoln City boss on Carlisle United and Paul Simpson

Kennedy admits Simpson’s track record demands the highest respect ahead of the clash at the LNER Stadium.

“He’s been very successful - he’s been in the game a long, long time, and is really highly-regarded, really well thought-of,” said the home boss.

“They [Carlisle] had an incredible promotion last year, [and have made] a really solid start.

“They’re scoring goals, well organised and have got some really good individual players.

“The thing about the league is, it doesn’t matter whether you’re playing teams at the top or teams at the bottom, if we’re not on our game we’ll come unstuck, and if we are on our game we’ve got a good chance of three points.

“Saturday’s no different.”

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Lincoln sit eighth after their opening six games, two of which have come at home – both 3-0 wins.

The Imps are also making impressive headway in the Carabao Cup with a sell-out home clash with West Ham United coming later this month after their penalty-shoot-out victory at another Premier League club in Sheffield United.

Saint Lucia international Reeco Hackett is among Lincoln's key players (Image: PA)

Kennedy says he is relishing the prospect of a home game this weekend after plenty of time on the road so far for the Imps.

“We’ve had eight games and six away, so it feels like we’ve not been at home,” he added in a club interview.

“I’m looking forward to getting back and having a game in front of our own fans.”

Midfielder Ethan Hamilton added: “I think it’ll be a difficult game. We’re expecting a tough game against Carlisle.”

Lincoln have Reeco Hackett available after his return from international duty with Saint Lucia.

The forward pipped United midfielder Owen Moxon to August’s League One goal of the month award for his impressive strike against Northampton Town.

Hackett also netted in Saint Lucia’s 5-1 win against Sint Maarten last week, while another Imps player, defender Sean Roughan, has also been on international duty with the Republic of Ireland Under-21s.

Lincoln, whose goalkeeper is former Blues loanee Lukas Jensen, plan to stage a pre-match tribute to a club stalwart on Saturday.

Doreen Ashton, who passed away recently, volunteered at Sincil Bank for many years, including the running of catering points at the ground where she sold her home-made cheese and onion rolls, as well as selling snacks on coaches to away games.

“She was described as a mother figure around the club, particularly those who travelled on official coaches to away games, but prepared to be stern when needed to the younger elements of the fanbase,” the club said.

Chief executive Liam Scully described Doreen as a "club legend".

A minute’s silence in her memory will be held before kick-off.