Johnnie Jackson is looking forward to seeing our travelling support of 1000-plus when the squad emerge from the away dressing room tomorrow afternoon.
Our manager said: “We saw six days ago at our place what happens when a fanbase gets behind a team. It absolutely galvanised us and it was an incredible atmosphere.
“That message will be loud and clear from me and my staff to the boys on Saturday morning - that we’re taking a really good following up the road. It’s a good place to go and watch football and we want to put on a show for them and try and send them home happy, as always.”
You can listen to everything Johnnie had to say below.
Johnnie doesn’t think Lebanese international forward Omar Bugiel will be available though, for the game at Meadow Lane against Notts County.
The summer signing from Sutton United was a late withdrawal from Tuesday’s goalless draw at home to Grimsby Town, due to concerns over a possible groin injury.
“He’s unlikely to be involved,” said Johnnie, after Friday’s final training session at Plough Lane, before departing for Nottingham.
“He got that groin issue before the game on Tuesday, which meant that we had to rejig it. This game is going to come around too quick, unfortunately, so obviously it’s a blow.
“It gives an opportunity for someone else, but he’s an important player for us and we’re hoping it’s not too bad and we'll have him for the run in. Saturday is probably too soon.”
However, Johnnie could soon have a selection dilemma at the other end of the pitch. We’ve managed to keep back-to-back clean sheets in our last two league matches, but our established centre-back pairing could be back in the reckoning soon.
“Joe Lewis (knee) and Ryan Johnson (ankle) are getting closer,” said Johnnie. “They were out on the grass again today and they’re basically at the last stages of their rehab with Head of Sports Science Chris McConnell.
“They’ve dipped in and out of training. Ryan has been receiving and passing the ball, which is a great sign, and he’s feeling good - so is Joe. We’ll look to dip them in and out of training hopefully next week, see how the week goes, and then maybe with a view to playing the following weekend, or a little bit after that.
“Morgan Williams (back) is a longer-term issue, but everyone else who has been involved is still available.”
The last time we met Notts County in November we came out on top 4-2, but there's been a change in manager since that thrilling match.
The Magpies, who were seen as promotion contenders back then, lost manager Luke Williams to Swansea City in January, and Stuart Maynard took over as Head Coach having joined from Wealdstone.
“They’re on a bit of a tricky run now,” said Johnnie. “They lost their manager a couple of months ago when he moved on to the Championship. Although they’ve not been on a good run of form, they’ve got some talent in their squad.
“They’ve got the top scorer in the division in Macaulay Langstaff. They can really hurt you if you don’t get it right against them, they’ve shown that on a number of occasions. We know that we'll have to get things right defensively.”
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Photos: Pro Sports Images.
