Notts County vs Hartlepool United FC - MacKenzie could make Notts County bow

Posted Friday, February 05, 2016 by PA

Gary MacKenzie could make his Notts County debut when Hartlepool visit Meadow Lane.

MacKenzie made a deadline-day move to the Magpies from Doncaster and will remain with Jamie Fullarton's team for a month.

Scot Bennett, Jon Stead and Liam Noble have all been nursing knocks since the win at Luton last weekend but Fullarton expects all three players to be fit.

Jimmy Spencer, Gill Swerts, Julian Jenner and Civard Sprockel were all released during the transfer window while Will Hayhurst (knee) is a long-term injury absentee.

Hartlepool boss Ronnie Moore could hand a second debut for the club to striker Luke James following his return on loan from Peterborough.

James could be joined by fellow deadline day arrival Josh Laurent, with the midfielder having signed a permanent deal after being released by Brentford.

Experienced forward Billy Paynter and defender Carl Magnay are both in contention after being used as substitutes on their return from injury in last Saturday's 2-0 home defeat by Exeter, while central defender Matthew Bates, who missed out at the weekend with a recurrence of a toe problem, could also figure.

However, midfielder Michael Duckworth continues to struggle with a stomach muscle injury and defender Harry Worley has completed his rehabilitation following ankle surgery, but the game will come too soon for him.