A crowd approaching 30,000 is expected at Cardiff City Stadium for the meeting between the top two sides in the table, with the Bluebirds currently holding a slender one-point advantage over the Imps.
Despite that strong position, Cardiff must improvise in attack as injuries and fitness concerns limit their options in the forward line.
Top scorer Yousef Salech has returned to training after recovering from a neck injury but is not yet ready to feature.
Isaak Davies faces three weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring issue, while Omari Kellyman continues to battle a groin problem.
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With conventional strikers unavailable, Barry-Murphy turned to an inventive solution last weekend against Doncaster Rovers — deploying Wales international Rubin Colwill as the spearhead of the attack.
The move proved effective. Cardiff produced an emphatic 4-0 victory, and Colwill now looks set to continue in the role when Lincoln arrive in the Welsh capital.
“I played there a few times for Wales and I think it’s a position that fits my profile physically.
There are a few slight changes in playing up front, but it's somewhere I can definitely see myself playing in the future alongside playing in midfield,” said Colwill.
The 22-year-old believes the experience has broadened his understanding of the game and could shape how he is used in the future, particularly while Cardiff remain short of recognised strikers.
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“It was a good opportunity for me to learn and deliver a win for the team last week and I’m happy to go again. You're obviously a bit close to the goal, so it's easier to score.
“I'm just hopeful that I can stay in the team, play as much as I can and hopefully be in a great place to be selected for Wales’ World Cup qualifier.”
With Craig Bellamy preparing to announce his Wales squad ahead of the upcoming World Cup qualifying match against Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team on 26 March, the fixture against Lincoln provides a valuable opportunity for several Cardiff players to catch the national manager’s eye.
Colwill is among a group of Welsh talents hoping to impress, alongside his brother Joel Colwill, plus Cian Ashford, Dylan Lawlor and Ronan Kpakio.
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A high-stakes encounter in front of a packed stadium could serve as the perfect stage to demonstrate their readiness for international consideration.
Yet Colwill insists Cardiff’s primary focus remains unchanged — securing promotion.
“Our focus from the start of the year was to try and get promoted and win the league. I don't think that's changed for the whole season, that's still our focus,” admitted Colwill.
“But it’s important for us to remember how we got to where we are. The work we do every day is the most important thing and if you start thinking too far ahead you can get caught up in things.”
Lincoln arrive in excellent form, unbeaten in their past 17 matches and firmly in contention for automatic promotion.
Cardiff’s own record is similarly strong, with only two defeats in their last 17 games — a 5-2 loss at Plymouth Argyle two weeks ago and a narrow 2-1 reverse against Lincoln earlier in the campaign.
For Colwill personally, the season has also been one of recovery and growth. A three-month injury lay-off earlier in the year forced him to miss 17 matches, a spell that proved challenging but ultimately beneficial.
During his rehabilitation, the attacking midfielder worked intensively on aspects of his game away from the pitch — particularly his pressing and physical conditioning — improvements that helped persuade Barry-Murphy he could fulfil the demands of a central striker.
“My physical ability to cover ground and my fitness are real strengths of mine. Physically I've always been capable of it, it's just something that I was lacking skill set wise,” admitted Colwill.
“I've worked on that a lot the last few years and I think I'm in a really good place now to be a really effective presser for the team.
“When I couldn't train on the pitch it gave me a chance to improve things away from the technical side and tactical side. The re-hab period tested me mentally more than anything and allowed me to learn more things about myself.”
While Cardiff prepare to defend their position at the summit, Lincoln travel to South Wales with momentum of their own.
The Imps have won seven of their last eight fixtures and have recorded three successive clean sheets heading into the weekend.
Manager Michael Skubala is relishing the occasion and the prospect of competing in front of a large and expectant crowd.
“I just think it’s exciting, and I think that is what you live for, football, we are living to be excited, and the fans to be excited,” said Skubala.
“It’s not going to dictate the end of the season for me. It is not going to dictate where we are, how we will be successful – it is one game. I know it sounds nuts, but it’s worth the same points as last weekend’s game at Blackpool, it really is.
“But I think we can go there, proud, we can go there with good travelling fans who will get excited, and we can be us. We can really take it to Cardiff, in their big stadium, big atmosphere and enjoy it.
“And if we come out with something sensational, if we come up with a win, even better. But again, it is just another three points, it really is.”
For Cardiff, though, the stakes feel far larger.
With promotion hopes within touching distance and a home crowd behind them, the Bluebirds know that even without a recognised striker, another victory could bring them one step closer to their ultimate goal.
