Kevin Nolan urges players to show him they want to be part of Notts County

Kevin Nolan has once again insisted that the Notts County players whose contracts run out at the end of the season must prove themselves to their manager in the last two games.

The Magpies secured safety on Easter Monday against Portsmouth with several games to spare, but with neither promotion nor relegation at stake, the concern is the players may not perform to their full potential.

Nolan has already said several times over the last few weeks that he does not want the Notts players to take their foot off the pedal, reiterating their need to play for their Meadow Lane futures against Blackpool and Newport County.

"It's all about mentality and what the players want to achieve," he told the Nottingham Post.

"There are a lot of players out of contract, as we know, and they still have to convince me that for next season they want to be a part of this club.

"There may be players getting their heads turned by other clubs, you never know, but for their sake they cannot let the season peter out.

"You sensed there was a huge sigh of relief when we achieved safety a lot quicker than perhaps many thought.

"But now they have to show me their professionalism and their mentality moving forward for next year.

"I think I will learn about them more now, than when our backs were against the wall.

"You come out fighting and the lads did brilliantly with that, but now, with the pressure off, you've got to create the pressure from within yourself."

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