Notts County face Chesterfield in their first ever Buildbase FA Trophy game this weekend as the Magpies travel the short trip up the M1 to the Proact Stadium for the second time this season.
Manager Neal Ardley has hinted that there will be changes to his side as they look to get a first win since November 9th when they beat Ebbsfleet in the FA Cup.
Midfielder Jim O’Brien could make a long awaited return from injury whilst Defender Alex Lacey is line to make his Notts debut after joining the club a month ago.
Ahead of the game Notts Boss Ardley stated “There will be a few changes, there are lots of players who deserve the chance to play and show what they can do.”
“This match also gives us the chance to give a breather to those who need it. We’ve got quite a few players who have been carrying niggles for a little while so we need to give opportunities to players who are champing at the bit to get minutes in their legs in the run up to Christmas.”
“I’m not putting pressure on them, but I want them to show me they can at least ask questions of the ones that are in the team.”
Chesterfield are also likely to make changes as both clubs use the game as a welcome distraction from the league with the Spirites in terrible form having lost five of their last seven matches and being without a win in all competitions since they beat Notts County 1-0 in October.
Notts only slightly better are without a win in five having drew two and lost three will be hoping that victory kick starts what has been a turbulent season that has gone from a poor start to lifting the fans back down with a bump and needing another lift back up with Manager Ardley knowing he needs to be getting wins to keep his sides ambitions on track “We haven’t won enough lately, so we will give it everything we can to try and stay in the competition.”
“But, in the same vein, we have to make sure we finish the league season strongly.”
“The battle for the top seven can go all the way to the end of the season and that’s what we want to be hanging in there for.” He said.
The game on Saturday is Notts first ever venture into the competition and kicks off at 1pm with adult tickets available at £10 with over 65’s paying just £5 and under 17’s £3.
*Main image @Official_NCFC Notts in action at Chesterfield earlier this season.
