Kevin Nolan rues injury-wracked Mason Bennett loan move from Derby County

Kevin Nolan has claimed that Notts County would be “in a much better place” had Mason Bennett’s loan move from Derby County not been thwarted by injury.

The striker joined the Magpies on the last day of the January transfer window but was forced to return to Pride Park after rupturing his hamstring on his first start for the club against Barnet.

“You only have to look at the impact Mason had when he came on against Crewe, got his goal and hit the bar,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post.

“He gave us something different to what we didn’t have. He is such a quality player and for his injury to happen in his first full start for us was a devastating blow.

“If we had him, we would have been in a lot better place because of the quality I would have had at my disposal.

“He gave us that lightning pace, and he was clever with it. He could carry the ball too and he was our main target in January.

“We had to wait until the final hour to sign him, then a week later he is going back to Derby.

“It was incredibly frustrating but that’s gone now. But I still feel we have a good enough squad to achieve what we want. What we’ve got to do is prove it.”

Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.

Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.