Tuesday’s briefing: Arsenal ‘hungry’ in Lisbon but will Kane be able in Madrid?

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta talked up his side’s chances of putting their recent cup disappointments to one side when they take on Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League.

In Spain, all eyes are on Harry Kane and the last-minute call over whether the England captain is fit enough to line up in the mouthwatering meeting between his Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

Lower down the ladder it was a day of celebration for Lincoln, who became the first EFL side to seal promotion by guaranteeing their place in the next term’s Sky Bet Championship.

Arteta senses Arsenal appetite

Mikel Arteta insists his Arsenal side are “hungrier than ever” for Champions League success after seeing two other trophies slip from their grasp.

The Gunners arrived in Portugal for a quarter-final first leg against Sporting having lost the Carabao Cup final to Manchester City before being bundled out of the FA Cup in the last eight by Championship club Southampton.

It marked the first time this season that the Gunners have suffered successive defeats, inviting speculation over their ability to get over the line in the end-of-season race for silverware.

Arteta, whose side still boast a nine-point lead on top of the Premier League, has no doubts about the squad’s ability to bounce back.

“I know what it means to them and I know how much they want it,” he said.

“Now is the moment to show it, and we have to do it tomorrow at the highest level. We are hungrier than ever, very excited and very, very motivated. Feel that pain, feel that emotion, and use it to be better and to improve.”

Arsenal will be boosted by the return of Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard, while defender Gabriel will also be available despite limping off at St Mary’s with a knee injury. Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber have not made the trip.

Bayern wait on Kane

Bayern Munich travel to Real Madrid in the other Champions League quarter-final, a clash of heavyweights that would make a fitting final.

And England captain Harry Kane finds himself at the heart of things as Bayern brace to make a late decision on the free-scoring forward’s fitness.

Kane missed his country’s 1-0 loss to Japan last week with an ankle problem and only returned to training on Monday morning.

“I don’t think he’s lost his rhythm. We’ll wait and then decide,” said boss Vincent Kompany.

“When someone has a muscle injury, it’s different to a ligament injury. Harry knows how important this match is. He must also say whether he’s ready to start. We want to and must win the match. We’ll see how it goes.

On Kane’s influence, he added: “Harry is massively important for us, that’s obvious. He has great importance for our game because he’s not just a finisher. He’s an absolute leader, a role model.”

Skubala: Promotion party not enough for Lincoln

Michael Skubala led Lincoln to the EFL’s first promotion of the season and immediately set his sights on making it a title-winning campaign on the way to the Championship.

Needing only a draw to guarantee their return to the second tier after a 65-year wait, the Imps celebrated with a 2-1 win thanks to goals from Ryan One and Jack Moylan.

It is a remarkable achievement for a team who were playing non-league football only nine years ago but Skubala has not finished his work yet.

“We want to win the title, the lads have said that they definitely want to win it,” Skubala said.

“It’s going to be tough, but let’s go and get that done as well. If we can go and put in some more good performances, we can do it. We’ll go out and have a beer but we’ll be back in on Wednesday.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling now. The lads have been excellent all season and to get the job done today, to get promoted on Easter Monday, just epitomises our season.”

Lampard pleased despite Coventry stalemate

Frank Lampard was happy to take a point as as Coventry inched towards the Premier League’s promised land with a goalless draw at Hull.

The Sky Blues need just four points from their last five games to secure their top-flight comeback after 25 years away, leaving Lampard content to edge closer.

“It’s a great point,” he said.

“Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves, but it’s a credit that with five games to go we’re in that position. The lads are all aware of it. Tension is a clear thing. I don’t feel it hugely with this group, I genuinely don’t. There’s been a couple of tense moments, where we weren’t our usual selves, but generally we’ve been good for that.”

What’s on today?

Arsenal’s attempt to put one foot in the last four of the Champions League is the main order of business in north London, while the heavyweight clash between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich has the potential to be a barnstormer.

Closer to home, Southampton are back in action following their shock win over the Gunners. They take on Wrexham in a clash that sees both teams vying for the last Championship play-off place.

In League One the action comes from the other end of the table, with rock bottom Port Vale welcome fellow strugglers Rotherham as each looks to upset the odds and avoid relegation. League Two leaders Bromley welcome Shrewsbury.