Notts County v Mansfield preview

Quartet return for County, Louis back for Stags

Last updated: 28th March 2008

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Louis: Back for Mansfield

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Second bottom Mansfield will be aiming to narrow the gap on Notts County to four points.

Notts County are boosted by the return of a quartet of players for the crucial derby clash at Meadow Lane.

Defensive duo Mike Edwards (dead leg) and Michael Johnson (groin) have recovered from the problems that ruled them out of the goalless draw at Shrewsbury on Easter Monday.

Midfielders Gavin Strachan and Myles Weston both resumed training this week after being on the sidelines for a month with hamstring trouble and come into contention.

Ali Gibb continues to be a slight doubt with a knee injury so former Mansfield goalkeeper Kevin Pilkington is the only member of Ian McParland's squad definitely ruled out.

Pilkington is still recovering after fracturing his leg in training last month.

Mansfield news

Jefferson Louis returns to contention for Mansfield's crucial derby clash against relegation rivals Notts County at Meadow Lane.

The striker missed the defeat at Bury on Monday as he was on international duty with the Dominican Republic.

Stags manager Paul Holland, in his first game since he was appointed as Billy Dearden's permanent successor, will be without Will Atkinson after the on-loan midfielder returned to Hull.

Mansfield are currently seven points adrift of County in the table and defeat against their rivals would be a huge blow to their chances of survival.

Holland said: "It is a massive game for the football club. We are not even thinking about losing this fixture. I can't see any reason why we can't beat Notts County and eventually overtake them."