Notts County v Darlington preview

Jackson an absentee; Quakers set to hand debuts to trio

Last updated: 1st December 2009  

Notts County v Darlington preview

Jackson: Absent for County

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Johnnie Jackson misses out for Notts County in their home game against League Two basement dwellers Darlington.

County are awaiting the results of tests but the early prognosis is that Jackson has strained ligaments in a knee and looks set to be out for around two weeks.

Fellow midfielder Neal Bishop will have a fitness test after twisting an ankle in the FA Cup second-round win at Bournemouth at the weekend.

Top scorer Lee Hughes, who took his goals tally for the season to 12 with County's equaliser in Saturday's 2-1 victory, is also a doubt with a knock.

County are unbeaten at Meadow Lane in the league this season while bottom-of-the-table Darlington have yet to win on their travels. Magpies manager Hans Backe is still looking for his first league win but the Swede insists it is not a formality that it will arrive against the Quakers.

"We can't underestimate them or we will lose points or lose the game," said Backe. "They got in some loan players last week and they are a different team after that. Those three or four players they have brought in will raise them."

Quakers news

Darlington manager Steve Staunton is expected to hand debuts to all three of his new loan signings.

Chesterfield pair Danny Hall and Paul Harsley could feature in the Quakers' back four and midfield respectively, while Leeds defender Andrew Milne is also in contention.

All three players were drafted in by Staunton on deadline day last Thursday in a bid to galvanise his squad, which currently languishes at the bottom of the Football League.

French striker Mor Diop could be recalled to the starting line-up following a calf injury, but midfielder Jamie Chandler has returned to Sunderland.

The Quakers have won only two league games this season and have conceded nine goals in their last two matches.