Kevin Nolan could name unchanged Notts County side for Mansfield clash

Notts County boss Kevin Nolan hopes to keep his side’s automatic promotion hopes on track when they face local rivals Mansfield at a packed Meadow Lane.

County go into the game in third place in the League Two table, three points ahead of the big-spending Stags but having played one game more.

Nolan could name an unchanged team from last week’s late 2-1 win at Forest Green which extended his side’s unbeaten run to three games.

However he could be tempted to restore Liverpool loanee Matty Virtue to his starting line-up in place of winger Terry Hawkridge.

New Mansfield boss David Flitcroft could be forced to reshuffle his side as they look to bounce back from last week’s frustrating draw with Colchester.

Captain Zander Diamond was forced off with a hamstring injury while Jacob Mellis suffered a knock to his ankle in the same game.

However neither injury is as bad as was first feared and Flitcroft hopes both players could be available for the big Meadow Lane clash.

Will Atkinson and Paul Digby are among those pushing to start after coming off the bench last week.