Norwich City's visit marks the start of a 'fantastic' pre-season schedule for Danny Cowley.

The Canaries travel to Sincil Bank on Tuesday to take on the League Two Imps, who also have friendlies lined up against Sheffield Wednesday, Blackburn and Scunthorpe.

'It's a fantastic pre-season schedule against some top Championship and League One clubs, it will give us exactly what we need. It will definitely challenge the players individually and collectively,' said Cowley, who signed a new longer term deal to stay with Lincoln earlier this summer.

'Whenever you play against top teams, you instantly get feedback on your organisation and exactly where you are in terms of your performance levels.

'We're going to learn an awful lot during the pre-season period and for us we really wanted a challenge to put us in a really good place to be able to cope with the demands of League Two once the season kicks off.'

Cowley is forging a big reputation in the game after guiding Lincoln into the Football League, the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, and lifting the EFL Trophy. Cowley's squad missed out in the League Two play-offs last season but have added former Barnet hitman John Akinde to go one step further.

'This is a big signing for Lincoln City but also a really important decision for John,' said Cowley.

'He is someone we know very well. He has scored over 25 goals in three of the last four seasons. He brings power, strength and he is a mobile forward we can play up to and carry that goal threat.

'We looked at John's profile and we think he is a good fit for how we want to play.

'The forwards you've got always define how you play. But we're not going to go from one extreme to the other. Our supporters want front-foot, aggressive, attacking football.

'I'm totally clear where I want to go, I'm totally clear where the club wants to go and I'm totally clear where the supporters want the club to go. We want to try and improve on what we did last year.

'To do that, we need to get promoted, so we need to sign the players who will give us that opportunity.'