SEAN O'Driscoll admits he may be forced to "fight fire with fire" when Cherries bid to combat Lincoln City's "unique" tactics on Saturday.

City have come in for some heavy stick for their direct style of play this season, with no fewer than four rival managers slamming the Imps for their direct approach.

Torquay boss Leroy Rosenior said Lincoln were more like a "rugby" team, while Hartlepool's Chris Turner claimed he had never seen long-ball tactics like it during his 25 years in the game.

And although City are among the early-season pacesetters in Division Three, the criticism prompted boss Keith Alexander to lodge a complaint with the League Managers' Association this week.

But O'Driscoll has resisted the temptation to join the chorus of disapproval and says injury-hit Cherries will be looking to match the uncompromising Imps at Sincil Bank (3pm kick-off).

O'Driscoll said: "We know it's going to be a difficult game because Lincoln are unique in what they do, but they are very organised, very disciplined and above us in the league.

"Everybody knows what they do and it's not as if it will be any big surprise or something you can't prepare for. It's going to be a frustrating afternoon and if we get a result I'll be delighted.

"It will be something of a one-off, especially because of the way we want to play, but we know what we're up against which in some senses gives us an advantage. I'm more concerned with how we approach the game rather than with their tactics.

"We know Ben Futcher, their 6ft 5in centre-half, will go up for goal kicks and we know every time they have a set-play they will use their aerial strength. We are going to get pegged back and it's going to be a stop-start game.

"Lincoln have cut their cloth accordingly and if Keith thinks the way he plays will get the best out of his players then as a manager that's what you are paid to do.

"I remember the old Cambridge team under John Beck. People thought they could pass them off the pitch, but I remember we tried to do that and got absolutely slaughtered.

"I remember speaking to John Beck and he told me the teams who gave them the most problems were the teams who tried to turn the tables on them which is what we will try to do tomorrow."

Lincoln were written off as relegation fodder at the start of the season, but have continued to confound their critics by winning four of their opening five home league games.

Imps boss Alexander said: "It's my job to get points on the board and it's no coincidence the teams who are criticising us are the ones we've done well against.

"Football is all about winning - we want to win first, entertain second. Some people might not like that, but if I don't win football matches then I'll get the sack."

Cherries are still waiting to discover whether the Football League agree to relax a transfer embargo in order for the club to sign a replacement to ease their central defensive crisis.

However, O'Driscoll says it is "unlikely" he will either bolster his resources ahead of the trip to Sincil Bank or be prepared to pitch a new signing in at the deep end without him having trained with Cherries.

Striker Derek Holmes is expected to face a late fitness test on his groin injury, while teenager Tim Bond and non-contract defender John Purches are both added to the Cherries squad. Wade Elliott returns after serving a one-match ban.

Cherries: (from) Moss, Young, Broadhurst, S Purches, C Fletcher, Browning, Thomas, Connell, Holmes, Hayter, Elliott, Eribenne, Stock, Narada, Foyewa, Bloomfield, J Purches, Bond, Tardif.

Lincoln: (from) Marriott, Bailey, Camm, Morgan, Futcher, Bimson, Sedgemore, Gain, Weaver, Smith, Yeo, Cropper, Mike, Buckley, Black, Mayo, Pettinger.