Notts County vs Port Vale preview - McCourt in line for Magpies bow

Posted Friday, February 27, 2015 by PA

Paddy McCourt may make his Notts County debut when Port Vale visit Meadow Lane.

McCourt, on loan from Brighton, made the move to the Magpies last weekend and was an unused substitute as his new team lost 2-1 at Fleetwood. The Northern Ireland international could get a chance on the wing on Saturday.

The returning Jamal Campbell-Ryce, back on loan at Notts from Sheffield United, Haydn Hollis, Will Hayhurst, Balint Bajner and Billy Daniels are also options for Magpies manager Shaun Derry, but Ronan Murray will probably remain on the sidelines through injury.

Shaun Harrad this week joined Cheltenham on loan while fellow striker Jimmy Spencer remains a long-term absentee after suffering a knee injury during pre-season.

Colin Daniel's return from injury means Vale travel with a fully-fit squad.

Daniel is back in contention after three weeks out with an ankle problem but a place on the bench is probably the best the forward can hope for with Valiants boss Rob Page likely to name an unchanged starting line-up for the third game in a row following back-to-back wins.

However, there is also plenty of competition to be named among the substitutes after Achille Campion, Greg Luer and Richard Duffy all missed out on the matchday squad last weekend.

Vale assistant manager Mark Grew said: "When you are winning football matches the hardest thing you have to do is pick the seven that will sit on the bench and leave the others out because people will be disappointed."