Jim could be back in frame for Magpies’ Iron clash
NOTTS RETURN TO ACTION WITH TRIP TO SCUNTHORPE
MIDFIELDER Jim O’brien could be back in the Notts County squad today when the Magpies return to National League action with a trip to face Scunthorpe United (12.30pm).
The Magpies have been without a game since their record-breaking fixture against Yeovil Town two weeks ago, with 16,511 in attendance at Meadow Lane to watch their goalless draw against Mark Cooper’s side.
The “break” offered Magpies head coach Luke Williams the chance to get a closer look at his players and work on some key fundamentals following that frustrating draw with the Glovers.
He was also able to monitor the fitness of some his players as they push for a return.
One of those players who will have benefited from the break is O’brien.
Williams confirmed the 35-yearold was fit and ready before their encounter with Yeovil but O’brien was not listed in the matchday squad. It appears a decision was made not to rush the midfielder back into action after a lengthy period on the sidelines.
However, the Notts boss confirmed that rumours surrounding defender Connell Rawlinson which surfaced on social media early last week were true, explaining that he suffered an injury in training. The extent of that injury is still unclear.
With that being said, I believe O’brien will return to the squad to provide valuable experience.
As we have seen earlier on in the season, should any of the defenders suffer an injury, Geraldo Bajrami is more than capable of slotting into the back three.
Sam Austin has been excellent on his return to the side, starting backto-back games for the first time in his Magpies career, keeping the inform Bajrami out of the side after two below-par performances against Southend United and Bromley.
His importance to the side is clear and his tireless running and positioning between midfield and attack has been brilliant to watch. It is hard to see how Williams can drop him.
All the talk this week has been surrounding Macaulay Langstaff, with reports suggesting four Championship clubs are interested in the Magpies number nine.
But I have no doubts the 25-yearold will be blocking out the noise and will be fully focused on adding to his 18-goal haul this season.
Today’s game will offer a slightly different challenge after the Iron confirmed Tony Daws had stepped down from his role as first-team coach.
The club also appears to be one step closer to a takeover after a turbulent couple of years at Glanford Park.
■ Notts County predicted line-up: Slocombe; Cameron, Baldwin, Brindley, Chicksen, Adebayo-rowling; Palmer, Austin; Rodrigues, Scott, Langstaff. Substitutes: Nemane, Bajrami, O’brien, Castro, Mitchell.