Mansfield Town’s match against Carlisle United has been postponed this weekend due to an outbreak of covid at the Cumbrian club so the Stags will next be in League Two action at Southend in a week on Saturday’s time.

Notts County have a tough test tomorrow if they are to reach the fifth round of the FA Trophy in an attempt to go at least one stage further than their semi-final appearance last season. Stockport County who are fourth in the National League lost just 1-0 to Premier League opposition, West Ham United on Monday and will provide stern hosts for Notts to overcome at Edgeley Park.

Magpies Manager Neal Ardley boosted his squad earlier this week to include more attacking threat with Inih Effiong and Calvin Miller joining until the end of the season from Stevenage and Harrogate respectively. Whilst Effiong will miss the trip to Stockport, cup-tied, having already played for Barnet whilst on loan earlier this season, Miller is available and will be looking to compete for a place in the team.

Ardley suggested his new boys are settling in nicely at the Magpies having trained this week, explaining the physical strength of Effiong with this comment “A couple of centre halves have bounced off Inih and realised he’s a big, quick, strong boy”

Of Miller he stated “There have also been a couple of times Calvin has left two or three people for dead with a lovely change of direction before delivering a great cross.”

Ardley said he is still looking to strengthen his side further with the club initially hoping to announce a third signing earlier this week but the Magpies Manager stated “We’re still trying to get bits and bobs over the line with the other club. We’ve hit a bit of a sticky patch but we’re still hopeful.”

One plus pending for Notts is the return of Cal Roberts who is now in rehabilitation following his operation following a groin injury. Whilst the former England U20 winger won’t be rushed back, Ardley said “He’s doing his rehab work and there are really positive signs at the moment,”

“With a bit of luck, it won’t be too long before he’s knocking on my door telling me to get him on the pitch.”

Finally across the river, Nottingham Forest have their own injured star returning to action as summer signing Luke Freeman was back in training this week.

Millwall at the City Ground will come too early for Freeman tomorrow but Manager Chris Hughton will be positive his side can do the business again after back-to-back single goal victories in both league and cup.

Forest who beat Cardiff City last time out, are unbeaten in six games and will be hoping to extend their run against the Lions who last beat the Reds at the City Ground on 6^th March 2020 which was also the last time supporters were allowed in to the famous old venue on the south bank of the Trent.

Forest will be hoping for better than a 3-0 defeat imposed by Gary Rowett’s men ten months ago, more recently the two sides met at the Den and played out a 1-1 draw when Alex Mighten immediately cancelled out an early second half strike by Tom Bradshaw in December.

Both Notts and Forest kick off at 3pm tomorrow with streaming options available through the clubs websites.

*Main image @StockportCounty Notts will travel to Edgeley Park tomorrow in the FA Trophy.