Bristol Rovers manager Darrell Clarke has admitted that his squad is currently being stretched to the limit ahead of their FA Cup first-round trip to Notts County.

The Pirates have a fairly small senior squad as it is, with 24 players - Notts, in comparison, have 29 - and have been hit by injuries, with the likes of star winger Billy Bodin and defender James Clarke currently out.

Rovers have played 21 games so far this season and, although Clarke did manage to rest some of his key players in the EFL Trophy defeat to West Ham in midweek, he admitted that it's a juggling act at the minute.

"I managed to rest a few in midweek," Clarke told the Bristol Post. "That was our 21st game, that seems a hell of a lot of games given we're only just into November.

"I've not got a massive first team squad and it was important that I rested a few the other night, so we're ready to go on Friday. Something has got to give, even Premier League managers are moaning and they've only played 10 league games!

"I've got injuries. I've got James Clarke long term. I've got Billy Bodin. I've picked up one or two more injuries and knocks this week as well. All of a sudden the signs are that we're pretty depleted, which we can't afford to be.

"I've got a squad of seniors but three or four are only 20 or 21 years of age. We're not blessed with a massively big squad, we've got an Under 21's which we've just set up and we want to build them into better players.

"I've haven't got the biggest squad in the world, we have to make sure we balance it right because I've got injuries to squad players and we've picked up one or two minor injuries this week. We've got be careful how we manage it."

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Matt Tootle has praised Kevin Nolan for the support shown to him since the manager's arrival at Notts County in January.

The left-back has been speaking out about his problems with mental health and how they threatened to derail his career at one point.

In May, Tootle revealed revealed how he had enjoyed a superb season at Crewe Alexandra going into the summer of 2014, but "something then just triggered" in his mind while he was on holiday in the off-season.

Over the last few weeks, the 27-year-old has spoken to the likes of talkSPORT about the topic, which has prompted waves of support from people who have been affected by mental health issues.

In an interview with the official EFL site, Tootle said: “The reaction has been unbelievable – for me it has been quite emotional.

“From the place I was in to be able to speak out now, I take great pleasure in trying to help people. I know what some of these people are going through and to hear about how much I have helped is really good.

“Since the new manager has come in he has been unbelievable with me. He knows me and what I need. When I came back after the summer he and the assistant manager both congratulated me telling me how proud they were that I’d come through this.

“I was worried they would ‘tag’ me... but if anything they saw it as the opposite, which was refreshing to hear. I like to think that they’ve seen I’ve come on leaps and bounds and that there is much more to come from me as well!”

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Kevin Nolan is looking forward to Notts County's FA Cup first-round encounter with Bristol Rovers and is eager for his players to show how far they've come as a team.

The League Two leaders welcome the Pirates - who ply their trade in League One - to Meadow Lane on Friday night and the Magpies manager believes his side have a great chance of making it through to round two.

"Bristol Rovers will give us an indicator of how far we have come in such a short space of time," Nolan told the official Notts site.

"When we went to Scunthorpe in the Carabao Cup we applied ourselves really well and there were a lot of positives to take. That's what I'm expecting tomorrow.

"The pressure's off. The lads are really looking forward to it and so am I.

"I hope we can produce another good performance to give ourselves a fantastic chance of making it through to the next round.

"I've never been in the competition this early before so this is something new for me."

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Newport County defender Dan Butler has won his appeal against the red card picked up in his side's 3-0 defeat to Notts County.

The 23-year-old was sent off by referee Craig Hicks in the 34th minute of the League Two game at Meadow Lane for leading with his elbow as he challenged Matt Tootle for a high ball and left the full-back needing treatment.

Newport submitted a wrongful dismissal claim and have now received confirmation from the FA that the claim will be upheld and Butler’s three-game suspension has been withdrawn.

"It's a massive relief," Butler told the South Wales Argus following the decision.

"I was gutted for the boys and for myself because I felt like it changed the game when I went off.

"It's common sense really, to jump high your arms do need to be at a certain level.

"If you throw an elbow at the same time then I agree that is a red card but I think you could clearly see there was no forced with my elbow.

"I just used my arms to get as high as I could to win the ball.

"I'm not going to comment on the referee but it definitely wasn't a red card and thankfully it's been taken away." 

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Notts County have reportedly been ordered to pay former manager John Sheridan £125,000 following an appeal against the grounds of his sacking.

The 53-year-old was let go from his role at Meadow Lane in January after losing nine games in a row, the club saying he was dismissed for gross misconduct after he was banned from the touchline for five games following a rant at officials in the game against Wycombe Wanderers in December.

The Football Association released details of Sheridan’s outburst to referee Eddie Ilderton and fourth official Matthew Donohue in that game, which Notts lost 2-0.

“You're a f****** c***,” Sheridan said to Donohue, before shouting at Ilderton: “You're a f****** disgrace, you f****** useless, you've not f****** got anything right today, you should be f****** ashamed, you're f****** ****, my kids aren't going to get any f****** Christmas presents because of f****** you.”

Sheridan launched an appeal against his sacking, claiming gross misconduct was not the sole reason.

And according to the Daily Mail, the arbitration panel in Nottingham decided in Sheridan's favour -  the LMA pointing out his sacking came five games and 23 days after the defeat to Wycombe -  and ordered Notts to pay him compensation.

The report goes on to say that Sheridan, who is currently out of work after leaving Oldham Athletic, may pursue County Court action if the club refuses to pay.

There have been no confirmations or comments from Sheridan, the LMA or Notts.

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Terry Hawkridge is hoping that he can embark on a successful FA Cup run with Notts County this season, much like he did with Lincoln City last year.

The Imps went all the way to the quarter-finals of the competition in 2016-17, the first non-league team in 103 years to reach the last eight.

Hawkridge was a key component of the Lincoln team that made it that far in the competition, as well as sealing promotion to the Football League.

Now at Notts, who are preparing for their first-round encounter with Bristol Rovers at Meadow Lane on Friday, the winger spoke of his aspirations.

“Obviously what we achieved at Lincoln was something incredibly special and we went on a great run which gave us plenty of memories,” he told the Nottingham Post.

“I would love to do the same with Notts this season and it would be amazing to see if we could go one better as you always set out to try to go as far as you can.

“But you cannot get too far ahead of yourselves. We’ve got a very tough game on Friday night and they will want to experience exactly the same.

“We’ve got an excellent home record and nothing to fear, so it should be a good game.”

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Notts County boss Kevin Nolan has revealed that he has had to tell Jorge Grant to stop being so critical of himself.

The 23-year-old grabbed a brace against Newport County at the weekend, which saw him edge into the double figures mark for goals.

During the 3-0 win over the Exiles, however, Grant's over-eagerness to impress - and its subsequent impact on his play - led to Nolan having to have a word with him.

“I told him not to try to eat himself up,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post.

“Sometimes he was trying a bit too hard to impress people instead of being normal Jorge and building himself into the game.

“He was trying to force things and I just said ‘go back to your one and two touch’ because if there is one person in the squad who can do it more than others then it’s him.

“You saw that against Newport. He had a few indifferent touches but I had a chat with him and just said to calm himself down.

“He beats himself up too easily and he shouldn’t do that because he’s an outstanding talent.

“We have to help him with that. But I thought he grew into the game on Saturday and showed some real touches of class.”

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October is now done and dusted, we're a third of the way into the season, and Notts County remain top of League Two!

The month just gone proved a little bumpier than the almost perfect September, but nonetheless the Magpies got through it well enough and ended it on a high note.

In this article, Pride of Nottingham recaps all the biggest stories from Meadow Lane and elsewhere in the Notts world that happened in October 2017.

October 3

- Alan Hardy described Kevin Nolan as "a star of the future" after the Notts manager was nominated for September's League Two Manager of the Month award.

- Kevin Nolan hit out at a "ridiculous" festive fixture list for Notts County this season which includes a trip to Morecambe on Boxing Day and a journey to Swindon Town three days later.

October 4

- Notts announced that club record goalscorer Les Bradd was to donate £1 from every sale of his forthcoming book, Far Post: A Striker’s Tale of Scoring Goals and Breaking Records, to the beneficiaries of the CEO Sleepout that took place early in the month.

October 5

Kevin Nolan expressed his delight with Shola Ameobi's return for Notts County from a hamstring injury, but insisted that he wouldn't rush him back into action.

October 6

Kevin Nolan was named the League Two Manager of the Month following a near-perfect September for Notts County.

October 7

Kevin Nolan gave a positive assessment of Michael O'Connor's rehabilitation from a serious knee injury describing the midfielder as being "in a good place".

Notts County claimed a point against Forest Green as Rob Milsom struck in the 96th minute to give his side a 1-1 draw at Meadow Lane.

October 12

Notts confirmed that Liam Noble, recently released by Forest Green, had returned to Meadow Lane and would be available for selection from January.

October 14

Notts County returned to winning ways and sat at the top of League Two once again following a 2-1 win over Barnet at Meadow Lane.

October 16

Kevin Nolan confirmed that goalkeeper Adam Collin had suffered an injury against Barnet and was to be sent for a scan on his knee.

Notts County were handed a home draw against Bristol Rovers in the first round of the FA Cup.

October 17

Notts suffered a 2-0 defeat away at Crewe Alexandra on Tuesday night which knocked them off the top of League Two.

October 20

Alan Hardy revealed that Notts County have complained to the Football League over their fixture list this season.

October 21

Alan Hardy spoke out in favour of the introduction a safe standing area at Meadow Lane and said he was eager to consult fans on the topic.

Notts County fought back from a goal down to claim a 1-1 draw in Saturday's League Two encounter at Carlisle United.

October 23

Kevin Nolan confirmed that Adam Collin has suffered ligament damage and is likely to be out for between two and three months.

October 25

Notts County fell to a 2-1 defeat against Mansfield Town in their EFL Trophy Group G clash at Meadow Lane on Tuesday night.

October 28

Notts County returned to the top of League Two thanks to an emphatic 3-0 win over Newport County at Meadow Lane on Saturday.

October 31

Alan Hardy revealed that additional turnstile checks at Meadow Lane on Saturday for Notts County's game against Newport County were put in place to stop people using "tickets to which they are not entitled".

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Alan Hardy has stated that additional turnstile checks at Meadow Lane on Saturday for Notts County's game against Newport County were put in place to stop people using "tickets to which they are not entitled".

In a statement published on the club site, he said: "As part of the club's open, honest and transparent lines of communication, we wish to clarify the reasoning behind the recent decision to introduce spot ticket checks inside the stadium.

"We have been made aware that a small group are abusing our ticketing policy by using tickets to which they are not entitled.

"Put simply, they are buying discounted concession tickets for youngsters and senior citizens and passing them on to be used by adults.

"This is defrauding the club of a considerable amount of money which would be used to help our future development across all levels, while it is also wholly unfair on honest supporters who pay the correct amount.

"I am extremely passionate about encouraging the next generation of young Notts fans to come and watch us by making it as affordable as possible but we have to put a stop to this wilful abuse of our ticketing initiatives.

"With immediate effect, I have instructed all our turnstile operators to adopt higher levels of vigilance upon entry and the club will also be utilising additional stewards to check tickets inside the ground.

"I would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and ask supporters to give themselves a little extra time to gain entrance into the stadium at future matches while we address this issue."

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Kevin Nolan has claimed that Notts County have a  “fantastic opportunity” of progressing into the second round of the FA Cup shock when they face Bristol Rovers on Friday.

A shaky October for the Magpies ended on a high note as Jorge Grant and Shola Ameobi struck three unanswered goals between them to claim a 3-0 victory over Newport County on Saturday.

That League Two win at Meadow Lane saw Notts edge back up to the summit of the table and Nolan is hoping that his side can take this momentum into the first-round encounter against the League One side on home soil.

“We now look to the next game which is Bristol Rovers, we’re at home, we’ve got an absolutely fantastic opportunity to get into the next round," Nolan is quoted by the Hucknall Dispatch as saying.

“We’ve made this a fortress and tough for people for come.

“What we will do is hopefully give a good account of ourselves and if we continue to do what we’ve done today and keep that moving, that will give us a fantastic chance of getting into the next round.

“We are not going to be favourites because they’re in a league above, but we can build momentum.”

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Jorge Grant feels he has come a long way as a footballer since first arriving on loan at Notts County.

The 23-year-old, who is on the books of Nottingham Forest, linked up with the Magpies at the start of the year and played a big part in helping the club survive relegation from League Two.

A new loan deal was subsequently agreed for Grant at the start of the current campaign and the youngster continues to impress, claiming seven goals and two assists so far in the league.

“I think I have developed massively since I have been here,” Grant told the Nottingham Post.

“If I look at myself when I came back here in January to the player I am now, I have improved so much both in my decisions on the ball and off it.

“I think my defensive work, especially over the last three or four games, I’ve done a lot more than what I normally would do in a game.

“So that side of my game is starting to come forward as well.”

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Kevin Nolan has praised the Notts County fans for their fervent support during Saturday's 3-0 win over Newport County.

Jorge Grant's brace and Shola Ameobi's powerful finish against the Exiles, combined with Luton Town's defeat to Coventry City, saw the Magpies return to the summit of League Two.

Nolan was delighted with the Black and White Army's noise levels throughout the game, insisting that his players' confidence was boosted and helped spur them on in the game.

“The fans were with us all the way through the game and you can see when they are on form and singing, how much confidence it gives to the lads,” he told the Nottingham Post.

“Thanks to them and hopefully they can continue to do that when things aren’t going so well.

“That’s when we need them even more. I was delighted with them and thank you to them for their massive support they have given me since I came here.”

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Alan Hardy has expressed his delight at how well Notts County are doing but will not rest on his laurels and is already looking ahead to the January transfer window.

A somewhat shaky October for the Magpies ended on a high note when Newport County were comprehensively beaten at Meadow Lane, Jorge Grant bagging a double in a 3-0 win.

The result, combined with Luton Town's defeat to Coventry City, edged Notts back up to first in the table.

Ahead of Saturday's game, Hardy praised the arrival of former player Liam Noble and also insisted that the club's current success and infrastructure would be a draw for prospective new players.

Hardy wrote in his weekly Nottingham Post column: "[Notts] have exceeded everybody’s expectations and there is an unmistakable buzz about what this season could have in store for us come May.

"But I think it’s crucial we don’t stand back and just admire the job that has been done so far.

"We want to keep pushing forward, which is why the future is always a topic of conversation here.

"We have already started talking about the January transfer window and discussing potential targets who can aid us in our quest for success this season.

"We have, of course, already signed Liam Noble. We were absolutely delighted to bring him in given our much-publicised chase for him in the summer.

"I don’t think there is any doubt about his quality and I am sure, under Kevin Nolan’s leadership, he will thrive in this environment.

"We were willing to pay big money for him so to get him on a free is not just a great deal in terms of what he will bring on the pitch, but also on a business level.

"With Liam being a massive Newcastle fan, I don’t think he could be at a better a club given we play in black and white and are called the Magpies!

"Not only that, he is working alongside a number of iconic ex-Newcastle figures here - players who I am sure Liam looks up to and who can help him improve on the undoubted talent he has.

"We are always looking to improve the squad and, already, we have been contacted by agents about players that may be available to us in January.

"Given the extraordinary progress we have made as a football club, both on and off the pitch, there’s no denying the fact that players want to come and be part of what we are trying to achieve.

"The league position obviously helps immensely, but I think a lot of players from the outside looking in can see the ambition we have to make this club a huge success.

"Whether they are strikers, midfielders or defenders, the list of players is growing by the day so already we have spoken about what we may potentially need come the New Year.

"It’s made for some fascinating conversations and, as I’ve expressed numerous times, I will back the manager in helping him fulfil our vision for this great and historic football club."

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Jorge Grant has praised Notts County's ruthlessness in front of goal as they returned to the top of League Two with a 3-0 win over Newport County on Saturday.

The Nottingham Forest loanee bagged a brace either side of Shola Ameobi's strike at Meadow Lane and could have even claimed a hat-trick were it not for his free kick rebounding off the woodwork.

“I’m really happy,” Grant told the official Notts site. “It’s been five games without a goal so it was good to get three points and a clean sheet.

“We were ruthless in front of goal. We came in with an attitude of ‘We’re not going to lose this game’ and maybe in the last few weeks we have let teams come on to us - but it was the opposite today and it was proved in the final score.

“We were confident. We’ve been working on being calm and composed around the box in training and picking out the final pass. We could have had a lot more than three goals.

“The day after every game I watch it back and go through it with my dad, seeing what I could have done better or differently. I criticise myself quite a lot.

“I have high expectations of myself so that’s why I beat myself up about certain things but the manager has given me little pointers and told me to go out there, express myself and enjoy myself because I am a better player when I do that.”

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Newport County manager Mike Flynn has hit out at referee Craig Hicks for showing Dan Butler a red card in their 3-0 defeat at Notts County.

Butler was sent off in the 34th minute after leading with his elbow on Matt Tootle in an aerial challenge which left the Magpies full-back needing treatment.

It proved a turning point in the game as Notts went on to bag three goals against the Exiles and could easily have got more, with Jorge Grant nearly sealing a hat-trick.

“The referee has got it wrong,” Flynn told the South Wales Argus. “It changed the game and it spoiled the game.

“I’ve been told by the fourth official that he [Butler] went in with excessive force.

“I don’t think the referee had control of the game to start with. I believe he’s made honest decisions but unfortunately he’s got a lot of key ones wrong.

“And, just to rub salt into the wounds, I’ve watched the third goal again as well and it wasn’t over the line. It’s not been a great day.”

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Kevin Nolan has expressed his delight with Notts County's performance in their 3-0 win over ten-man Newport County and believes that the scoreline could have been even more flattering for the Magpies.

Jorge Grant scored a brace for Notts in Saturday's League Two encounter at Meadow Lane either side of Shola Ameobi's strike and only the woodwork denied the Nottingham Forest loanee a hat-trick from a free kick.

“I was delighted with the performance and we were like our old selves again,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post. “It was what we were producing when we were at the top of the league the last time.

“It was high tempo and we dictated the play from start to finish. We really made it difficult for Newport and I was delighted with the goals we scored and the clean sheet too.

“It could have been five, six or seven given the chances we created and I don’t think that would have flattered them.

“Before the sending off there was a bit of anxiety, but I always felt we were in control but perhaps tried to force things a bit too much at times.

“But we started to settle and then the sending off came. But just because they have a man sent off it doesn’t give you an automatic right to win the game.

“You have to earn it. We did that and we made them pay the price for being down to 10 men.”

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Dan Jones has claimed that Notts County's players feel they can beat anybody at Meadow Lane and that recent adverse results have only made the squad stronger.

The Magpies go into Saturday's home game against Newport County second in the table and just one point behind leaders Luton Town.

However, Notts' form has dipped over the last month, with just one win in their last six games in all competitions, but Jones is eager for the team to put recent results behind them.

"The run we went on was fantastic but you are going to have ups and downs during the season," Jones told the Nottingham Post.

"In this league, it's tough because every game is a serious battle.

"Newport are a good side with good players. They have recruited well but I feel we can beat anybody here. The pitch is fantastic to play on, you have no excuses whatsoever.

"We've had a bit of a blip but it makes you stronger as a group. Hopefully on Saturday we can get back to winning ways, put the last few weeks behind us and move on."

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Mike Flynn has talked up Newport County's prospects in Saturday's League Two encounter at Notts County, urging the his side to become the first team to inflict a league home defeat on the Magpies this season.

The Exiles survived in League Two last season courtesy of a final-day win over Notts at Rodney Parade, and this time round they appear a much different proposition, sitting sixth in the table.

When asked by the official Newport site about Notts' unbeaten home record in the league, Flynn responded: “I didn’t know that if I’m honest but if that’s true then it’s there for the taking.

“Let’s be the first team to be beat them there in the league. They are a strong team and it’s going to be a tough game. But they’ve had a little dip in form now so hopefully we catch them at the right time.

“It’s all about what Newport team turns up on the day and what Notts County team turns up as it is in most games in this league.

“I’m confident we can go there and cause them problems, I just hope we have that killer touch and we go there and get the win because the boys have been magnificent.”

Flynn also spoke highly of Notts boss Kevin Nolan, adding: “They’ve got an ambitious young manager in Kevin Nolan. He’s played at the highest level, seen what has worked in the league.

"They’ve obviously got some backing as well, so he’s been able to build a strong squad and I’m sure they will be up there come the end of the season.

“If you can put together a competitive squad and be consistent in this league then you know that you’ll be in the top half of the table for sure.”

And Meadow Lane also got praised by Flynn, telling the site: “It’s a great football stadium. It’s full of tradition and I’m really looking forward to going there.

“They’ve started really well, and I think the way they tried to relegate us last season will mean the boys are up for it.”

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Kevin Nolan has acknowledged that Notts County need to get used to the pressure of being viewed as one of the big scalps in League Two.

Despite a blip in recent weeks, the Magpies continue to sit second in League Two, just one point behind a very impressive Luton Town outfit.

Up next for Notts is Saturday's league encounter with Newport County in Meadow Lane, and Nolan admits that the raised expectations are a new thing for both players and staff.

"A lot has changed in recent weeks, such as expectations from outside the club," he told the official website.

"People now think we're a good side who are where we should be, which means teams see us as a real threat in this division.

"As a squad and a staff we have not been in this position before and we're still getting used to being one of the teams to beat.

"Last year there was no pressure because of where we were in the league and teams were thinking they had a real chance of getting something from the game but now they come here, show us the respect we deserve and try not to give anything silly away.

"The players have earned that respect over the past few months and we have to find a way to start countering it.

"Hopefully what we do on the training ground will come to fruition and we can combat their strengths while taking advantage of their weaknesses, which will give us a fantastic opportunity to beat anyone."

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Kevin Nolan has praised Notts County summer signings Callum Saunders and Elliot Hodge, suggesting that they are both players who can get crowds excited.

Both players, brought in at Meadow Lane with a view to development, played in the Magpies' 2-1 defeat to Mansfield Town in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday.

“I thought they did really well and I was really pleased with both of them,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post.

“Callum led the line well and ran the channels which is what he is all about.

“He was probably a little bit unlucky not to get a few more chances but he will get better the more and more he does it.

“Elliot did really well especially in the first half. He did lots of good things and when you’ve got two lads who are hungry, decent, and they’ve got pace, it excites the crowds.

“I was delighted with them and they should be pleased with how they performed.”

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Kevin Nolan has urged his players not to feel sorry for themselves after losing to Mansfield Town in midweek ahead of Saturday's League Two game with Newport County.

A much-changed Magpies outfit fell to a 2-1 defeat against the Stags on Tuesday night in the EFL Trophy.

With a league game now on the horizon, Nolan has rallied his troops and urged them to bounce back from the midweek defeat.

“I want the players to react in the right way to Tuesday, I don’t want them to feel sorry for themselves,” he told the Nottingham Post.

“I want them to show what I believe they can do. I believe in them and I believe they could have done a lot better which is why I was so disappointed with what I saw.

“The best thing about having Saturday, Tuesday, fixtures is that you don’t have to wait long for another game.

“But I was able to give some of the lads some exposure who haven’t had many minutes this season while obviously giving the lads who have been playing a rest.

“I am really looking forward to Newport now.”

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What's been happening in League Two over the last week?

Here is Pride of Nottingham's round-up of the biggest League Two news from the last seven days.

- Chesterfield have confirmed that midfielder Jordan Flores, on loan from Wigan Athletic, was involved in a car accident on Monday and was taken to hospital for treatment, where it is reported that he will be undergoing surgery.

- Lincoln City have signed former Manchester United youth winger Cameron Stewart, who had been without a club since leaving Ipswich Town in the summer, on a short-term deal until January.

- The EFL has confirmed that "no specific action" will be taken against Stevenage following complaints of stewards acting inappropriately by asking some female Grimsby Town fans to show their bras to security staff ahead of their League Two match at the Lamex Stadium in August.

- Wycombe Wanderers have been forced to recall defender Will de Havilland from his loan spell at Aldershot following a spate of defensive injuries in the Chairboys ranks.

- Carlisle United striker Shaun Miller has become the first player in English football to be retrospectively banned for diving due to 'successful deception of a match official', a new offence which came into force at the start of the season, in their 3-3 draw with Wycombe.

- Coventry City have banned a supporter for life after he came onto the pitch during their home defeat against Forest Green and shouted at the Sky Blues players.

- Mansfield Town have opted to recall midfielder Jack Thomas from his loan spell at National League North side Boston United.

All news stories sourced from BBC Sport and Sky Sports.

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