Lincoln City secured an impressive piece of business last week with the capture of former Huddersfield Town midfielder Jack Payne.

Payne was released by the Terriers following their relegation to the Championship having spent time on loan with Bradford, Oxford United and Blackburn.

His time with Tony Mowbray’s side was particularly eye-catching; his influence helped push them towards Championship promotion.

He’ll now be hoping to do something similar with ambitious Lincoln, who also bagged the signature of Nottingham Forest’s Jorge Grant last week in a busy period of recruitment for Danny Cowley.

Adding Payne has some obvious positive aspects for the Imps, but we’ve identified a couple that might not be quite as positive, with two pros and two cons to the deal.

Pro: He fills an important gap for them

Cowley’s squad is more or less intact from last season and it could be said much of their recruitment was geared towards a League One season.

Cian Bolger, Jason Shackell and Michael Bostwick are all players proven either in the third tier or higher, giving the Imps a solid foundation upon which to build.

Their attack just needed the number ten, a man to play behind striker John Akinde and with Bruno Andrade and Harry Anderson on the flanks.

Payne’s arrival fills that hole.

Con: Expectation

Danny Cowley thrives as an underdog. His biggest successes have come in matches and competitions they’re not expected to do well in.

They’ve had strong cup runs, beating the likes of Burnley and Brighton, as well as lifting the EFL Trophy against a promotion-chasing Shrewsbury side last year.

When they’re fancied and the pressure is on, they’re not quite as effective. Big signings like this only raise their profile and build them up to be possible dark horses for a top ten finish.

Pro: Unlocking defences

One of the criticisms of their title-winning side was a struggle to unlock compact sides at Sincil Bank.

Teams such as Northampton, Carlisle, Cheltenham, Exeter and Cambridge all took a point from Sincil Bank after sitting deep and inviting pressure. They asked questions of Lincoln that the Imps struggled to answer.

Payne could be the key in unlocking those teams that do the same this season.

Con: Competition

It might be seen as a pro for many, but the Imps attack looks to have some real competition and someone is going to miss out, not just a squad player either, but a big name in terms of League One.

If Danny Cowley plays a 4-4-1-1 like last season, then one of Jorge Grant, Harry Anderson or Bruno Andrade is going to miss out. If he changes to a 4-2-3-1, he has a similar issue, with Tom Pett and Lee Frecklington also in the mix for a start.

When you consider he also signed Joe Morrell on loan from Bristol City, the competition for places is huge and Cowley has some big decisions to make in that attacking third.

Payne’s arrival only exasperates them as the former Blackburn man is sure to start matches regularly.