Lincoln City have signed Stoke City goalkeeper Josef Bursik on an emergency loan ahead of their play-off semi-final with Sunderland, which has drawn a frustrated reaction from many Black Cats fans.

The Imps are set to play Sunderland in a two-legged semi-final with a place in the play-off final at Wembley on the line.

A head injury to first-choice shot-stopper Alex Palmer has ruled him out of the games against the North East club due to the concussion protocols.

However, Lincoln confirmed yesterday that they had requested dispensation from the EFL to sign a goalkeeper on an emergency loan and have now announced the arrival of Bursik.

The 20-year-old will be available for selection for tonight's first leg at Sincil Bank.

Bursik joins the Imps on the back of an impressive season – performing well on loan at Doncaster Rovers in the first half of the campaign, keeping seven clean sheets in 15 Championship appearances for Stoke, and helping Peterborough United earn promotion from League One.

This is the England U21 international's second emergency loan move of the season as he joined the Posh under similar circumstances back in April and helped them secure a top-two finish.

Peterborough's strong end to the season ultimately cost the Black Cats an automatic promotion spot and it seems the club's supporters are now worried that Bursik is going to help Lincoln end their hopes of going up through the play-offs.

Read their reaction here: