Mark Cooper calls for Notts County fringe players to step up amid injury crisis

Notts County manager Mark Cooper has bemoaned his side’s injury crisis ahead of their League Two clash at home to Stevenage, but has called on the side’s fringe players to step up.

Curtis Thompson is struggling with an ankle injury picked up at Northampton Town, while Rob Milsom is struggling with a problem in his left knee and Graham Burke is also out of action.

Cooper said: "We are struggling injury wise. But it gives somebody else an opportunity.

"I've never been one to moan about injuries. It's a big squad so there are players in there who will have an opportunity.

"It is frustrating, but it's football. You've got to come up with solutions.

"That's what we have tried to do this week. We had hoped Curtis might make it, but I don't think he will.

"Rob declared early doors that he wasn't right, so we will have to change a couple of players.

"You can look at it either as a positive or a negative. It could bring freshness because somebody will get an opportunity to show for six or seven games they are worth a new deal."

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