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Joe Jones
Notts County manager John Sheridan has been handed a five-game touchline ban by the Football Association, starting this evening at Peterborough United.
The 52-year-old was dismissed by referee Eddie Ilderton during the League Two game against Wycombe Wanderers at Meadow Lane after remonstrating with officials.
Sheridan was unhappy that the ref allowed Scott Kashket's 55th-minute effort, from what looked to be an offside position, to stand.
"I'm disappointed in myself for being sent-off, but some of the decision making is atrocious," Sheridan told the Nottingham Post after the game.
"That's the way the game is and that's why I want ex-players to be referees."
Assistant manager Mark Crossley will be leading from the dugout as Notts try to secure a plum FA Cup third-round tie at Chelsea tonight.
Sheridan, meanwhile, will not be back on the bench until County's local derby against Mansfield Town on January 14.
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Joe Jones
Notts County could find themselves in the Championship in the next five or six years if new owner Alan Hardy is able to take them forward, according to former captain John Thompson.
On Monday, it was confirmed that Hardy had agreed a deal with current owner Ray Trew regarding a takeover of the club.
The Magpies are currently languishing in the lower reaches of League Two, but Thompson is hopeful of Hardy taking the Meadow Lane outfit in an upward trajectory.
He told the Nottingham Post: "I'm not surprised there was interest in buying the club at all. It's a fantastic club. They've got great history, a great stadium and a big fan base.
"If Alan Hardy is able to take them forward then there is no reason they can't be in the Championship in five or six years. Of course that would take a lot of hard work though.
"The first thing he needs to do is get fans enthused again. Gates have been falling and there's a pretty miserable atmosphere around the club.
"When I was there, the year we won the league we were getting 9,000 or 10,000 gates. You wonder where those people have gone.
"If he can get them back then it would be huge. He needs to get Meadow Lane buzzing again."
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Joe Jones
Peterborough United manager Grant McCann is expected to name an unchanged side as the League One club hosts Notts County for a place in the FA Cup third round.
Striker Lee Angol completes his three-game ban for his red card in the original tie, when Louis Laing completed the Magpies' comeback in injury time.
Forward Marcus Maddison, who has not featured since that game, remains sidelined with an ankle injury while on-loan midfielder George Moncur is ineligible.
Posh have won five of their last six League One games to sit sixth in the table, 38 places above the Magpies on the football pyramid.
Notts captain Michael O'Connor will sit out the second game of his three-match suspension after he was red-carded against Wycombe Wanderers earlier this month.
Magpies midfielder Curtis Thompson could keep his place, though, after making his first appearance of the season in the 2-1 defeat to Colchester United over the weekend.
County have endured a run of six successive League Two defeats and manager John Sheridan will also be missing Stanley Aborah and Alex Rodman for the trip to London Road.
Midfielder Aborah has not featured since the first-round tie at Boreham Wood due to a number of niggling injuries while winger Rodman is also suffering from a series of minor setbacks.
The reward for the victor tonight is a bumper third-round FA Cup tie at Premier League leaders Chelsea.
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Super_Danny_Allsopp
Were you looking for an early Christmas present? Perhaps Notts County and Alan Hardy have given you just that.
After protracted negotiations lasting several months, Ray Trew has agreed to sell the club and his 100% stake to Magpies supporter Alan Hardy.
Whilst nobody is expecting immediate fireworks, it will be a relief for most Notts fans to see new ownership of our beloved club.
A lot of people will be hoping for an end to the winding-up orders and so on, which I’m sure Mr. Hardy will deliver on, but what else can we expect from the new owner?
I took a delve into Mr. Hardy’s twitter, to get some clues:
Not a fan of Nike, but potentially a kit deal with Adidas? Alan Hardy has also done business with Adidas before.
Promotion of Notts as a family club. Having kids regularly accompany himself to games at Notts, Alan will surely have a few ideas on how to improve the matchday experience for the younger Pies.
Knowledge of the youth and grassroots football around Nottinghamshire. Notts have been accused of not having scouts look at some of the younger talent in and around Nottingham, this might be about to change.
Developing our own players, and giving them a chance. Although somewhat successful more recently (Hollis, Thompson, Richards), there is a lot of room for improvement and perhaps this could become a key part of a successful Notts County FC.
A quick mover. Usually in his car.
But somewhat questionable fashion taste… you can’t win them all.
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Joe Jones
Notts County have released a statement confirming that Ray Trew has sold the club to Alan Hardy.
Trew put the club up for sale back in February and, on Monday, the official club website said "a deal with Mr Hardy was the best option for all parties and will now work towards finalising the agreement and completing the transfer of ownership in due course."
Hardy, the owner of Nottinghamshire Golf and Country Club and a Magpies supporter, said: "I am delighted to confirm that I have reached an agreement with Ray Trew to purchase Notts County Football Club.
"This follows a series of discussions over the weekend. As part of the agreement, I will be ensuring the club is able to settle a High Court hearing scheduled for Monday.
"There is still a considerable amount of work to be undertaken in the coming days and, together with my team, we will be working around the clock to conclude our agreement and make a more formal announcement in the near future.
"I wish to emphasise my passion, desire and commitment to all Notts County supporters to drive this club forward."
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Joe Jones
John Sheridan has warned his Notts County players that they are free to leave the club if they don't like his style of management.
The Magpies fell to their sixth consecutive League Two defeat as Colchester United claimed a 2-1 win at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.
Notts now sit one point above the drop zone thanks to Saturday's loss, in which eight of Sheridan's summer signings were involved.
"I've brought a few players in here at the start of the season, and on paper they looked good signings and everyone thought they were the right decisions," Sheridan told the Nottingham Post.
"But now, I've got to question myself - have I brought the right players in, am I picking the right team?
"I've got two weeks before the transfer window opens, and I've got to work very hard to bring the right people in and hopefully I can do that.
"I'm not someone who picks on my players. Whatever I have to say, I say in the dressing room, I don't make it public.
"They know where they stand with me, but if some aren't happy and are not comfortable at the club and with me being manager, they can knock on my door and I'll try and get them out as quickly as I can."
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Joe Jones
Notts County have fallen to a sixth successive League Two defeat after Colchester United claimed a 2-1 win in Saturday's clash at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.
The Magpies took the lead just after the quarter-hour mark when Richard Duffy flicked on a Carl Dickinson corner and Elliott Hewitt snuck in to nod home from close range.
Colchester were level within just seven minutes, however, as Denny Johnstone whipped a cross into the path of Kurtis Guthrie, who headed past Adam Collin into the Notts net.
Tom Eastman nodded over in the opening stages of the second half for Colchester while, at the other end, U's keeper Sam Walker denied Dickinson at his near post.
In a game of few concrete scoring chances, it took an own goal to settle things as Owen Garvan curled a free kick into the visitors' box in the 75th minute.
John Sheridan's defenders struggled to cope as a scramble ensued, but the ball ultimately came off Duffy and rolled into the net, putting the U's in the lead for the first time.
Notts threw everything forward in a bid to claw back at least a point, including the goalkeeper, but the hosts saw the game out and condemned the beleaguered Magpies to another loss.
The result means Notts sit 20th in the League Two table, just one point outside the bottom two.
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Joe Jones
Notts County have met Colchester United a modest 41 times over the years, all league encounters except for one Sherpa Vans Trophy tie in 1988.
Notts hold the marginal upper edge, having won 20 games to Colchester's 14, with 8 draws.
All league encounters between the two have never taken place higher than the third tier.
The recent history between those two sides is very positive for the Magpies - we have won the last six games against the Essex side, by an aggregate score of 18-3!
Colchester United Football Club is a baby in English football club terms, having been born in 1937.
However, Colchester Town Football Club, the club's predecessor, was around since 1873.
Despite dwindling crowds in the mid-1930s, though, they refused to follow its neighbours Ipswich Town in turning professional, much to the disapproval of its fans and players.
As a result, Colchester United was formed, with the intention of playing professionally, and went on from strength to strength while its stubborn neighbour fell into decline and eventually folded.
Colchester United are responsible for one of the FA Cup's greatest ever upsets, when, in February 1971, they defeated the infamous Don Revie's Leeds United, an established top flight side who would finish second that season, by three goals to two. The U's were in the fourth division at the time.
The U's won the Football League Trophy (now the Johnstone's Paint Trophy) in 1996-97. and also compete in a competition called the Essex Senior Cup, a tournament contested by mostly non-league clubs within the region (Colchester usually field a youth/reserve team for this), winning this trophy back in 2009-10.
Micky Cook holds the all time club record for appearances with Colchester, having played nearly 700 games between 1969 and 1984.
Notable former players include Titus Bramble, Alec Chamberlain, Mark Kinsella, Kevin Lisbie and Newcastle cult hero Lomana LuaLua.
The town of Colchester is said to be the oldest recorded town in Britain on the grounds that it was mentioned by Pliny the Elder, who died in AD 79.
It was for a time the capital of Roman Britain, and is a member of the Most Ancient European Towns Network.
Since 2006, Colchester has been one of 12 places in the UK where Royal Salutes are fired to mark Royal anniversaries and visits by foreign heads of state.
Team News
Colchester will be without midfielder Sammie Szmodics for the visit of Notts County.
Szmodics had just returned to action from an ankle problem, but is now back in a protective boot after suffering a set-back while playing for the under-23s against Crystal Palace on Monday night.
U's boss John McGreal reported no other new injury problems following last weekend's goalless draw at Mansfield.
Striker Chris Porter is still sidelined by a hamstring injury, while midfielder Doug Loft, who has not featured since the end of August, is closing in on a return from his Achilles problem.
Colchester captain Luke Prosser has been ruled out for the rest of the season following knee surgery.
Notts County captain Michael O'Connor is suspended for the trip to Essex.
The defender's appeal against his red card versus Wycombe last weekend was unsuccessful and so he will serve a three-match ban.
Midfielder Curtis Thompson could come into contention for a place in the squad after training for more than a week after a long lay-off.
After five successive league defeats manager John Sheridan will also be hoping midfielder Stanley Aborah, out for a month, and winger Alex Rodman, sidelined since early November, can return soon.
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Joe Jones
Notts County boss John Sheridan continues to have the backing of Ray Trew, according to assistant manager Mark Crossley.
The Magpies have lost five league games in a row and are 20th in League Two, just four points above the relegation zone.
Despite their awful form, Crossley insists that he and the gaffer have the confidence of the board.
The ex-goalkeeper told BBC Radio Nottingham: "If Notts County were without a manager and looking for someone to get them out of it, John would be an automatic choice.
"I know the chairman is really eager for us to do well. He has been brilliant with and he still thinks we are the right people to turn it around. We can ask no more from him. He is with us and by us.
"But we're realistic. We have lost five on the bounce and this is a results-based industry.
"We know what we have to do and as far as we are concerned we will do it. But we need more from the players.
"Things have to change. We realise that and they will change in January.
"There is only way to get through this and that is by everyone working hard every single day and eventually it will turn."
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Joe Jones
Nostalgia is a powerful emotion. Who, at some point in their life, hasn't thought about certain aspects of the past and harked back to the "good old days"? Of course, when the present day is considered bleak, it makes delving into yesterday even more common and generates even stronger feelings.
Being a supporter of Notts County is very bleak business at the present day, with a sizeable amount of fans disappointed to the point of numbness about the today and worrying about tomorrow. Because of this, reminiscing about the past is something which can bring joy, laughter and memories.
However, nostalgia is not the only reason why One Flew Over the Magpie's Nest is such a great read. Sure, it's great to look back at a time when the Magpies were setting the Football League on fire under the great Jimmy Sirrel and Jack Wheeler, and when much-loved players like Lee Hughes were scoring goals for fun.
What makes Paul Mace's 650-page book so riveting is that it's so detailed, so in-depth and so anecdotal that it really feels like you're in conversation yourself with the interviewees, which include Sven-Goran Eriksson, Neil Warnock and Hughsey himself.
The book, which is out now, gives a fly-on-the-wall perspective of Notts County's last 50 years of history. As we all know, few clubs across England have had as eventful a history as the Magpies, so reliving this in almost documentary-style detail from the perspective of those who were involved makes for an entertaining and unforgetting read.
You know when you're down the pub, having a few pints with your mates and the stories just flow out like draught beer from a tap? That's basically what reading this book is like. It's difficult to put down once you've started reading, because you just want to know more and more.
Already a number of stories have been published in the Nottingham Post about Roberto Mancini being on the verge of becoming Notts boss, or Martin Allen jumping in the Trent to motivate his players ahead of the League Cup game against Forest, and believe me, there are hundreds of stories like that across the book.
From Mad Dog making his players sing nursery rhymes before a game and forcing an overweight steward to perform 50 press-ups, to Lee Hughes telling a current England international to "behave himself" after the two went to a nightclub in "the back streets of Manchester", there is much to shock, entertain and think about.
And if you wanted to know the full story about what the hell happened with Munto Finance, there is a whole chapter dedicated to the whole sordid affair.
One Flew Over the Magpie's Nest is the kind of book that any Notts County fan needs to have in their collection as soon as possible. With Christmas round the corner, it would make for a fantastic gift. And even for those who aren't necessarily Magpies fans, it's still so rich in entertainment and insight that it would be great for anyone who loves football.
One Flew Over The Magpies Nest, by Paul Mace, is available now at www.nottscounty1862.co.uk/order/ - alternatively, it is on sale at the NCFC Club Shop at Meadow Lane, while stocks last.
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Joe Jones
John Sheridan has welcomed the impending arrival of the January transfer window with open arms, saying he is looking to clear out some players and get new ones in.
The Magpies are in the bottom reaches of League Two having lost five league games in a row, prompting fans to fear a relegation battle and the possibility of dropping out of the Football League.
Sheridan earmarked the defence as an area that he needs to improve, with County's 34 goals conceded in 20 games one of the worst "goals against" tallies in the division.
"It's not where I thought we'd be. I've got to get a grip of the players," the manager told the Nottingham Post.
"Luckily for me, January is coming. I'll have to make good decisions as we need to get out the position we're in. We can't carry on like this.
"I need players out before I can get any in. That's something I might have to work really hard to do, to reshuffle the back and build a team to win games.
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Joe Jones
John Sheridan admits that he fears for his job as Notts County continue to freefall down the League Two table.
The Magpies lost their fifth consecutive league game as Wycombe Wanderers won 2-0 on Saturday in a controversial clash at Meadow Lane.
Although Sheridan was highly critical of referee Eddie Ilderton for his "atrocious" performance, he still acknowledges that his side is not playing well enough.
"I'm the manager and we're losing a lot more games than I thought we would. I'm not stupid," he told the Nottingham Post. "I worry about my position. I have to.
"I don't like losing matches. I don't like how we play sometimes.
"Things have gone against us in this game, but we were on a bad run before that.
"It's down to us. The first goal is a prime example. You've got two against one and their player gets a clean header on it."
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Joe Jones
John Sheridan has let rip at referee Eddie Ilderton after his performance in Notts County's 2-0 defeat against Wycombe Wanderers, describing the official's decision-making as "atrocious".
The Magpies slipped to a fifth League Two defeat on the trot at Meadow Lane on Saturday as Adebayo Akinfenwa and Scott Kashket bagged the winning goals for the Chairboys.
Sheridan - who was sent to the stands for remonstrating - feels a number of decisions, such as a Jonathan Forte goal ruled out for offside, Michael O'Connor's first-half red card, and Wycombe's second goal, all went the wrong way.
"I'm disappointed in myself for being sent-off, but some of the decision making is atrocious," Sheridan told the Nottingham Post.
"Forte is onside for the goal that was given offside, O'Connor has won the ball cleanly and the second goal is a blatant foul on (Richard) Duffy.
"It's same linesmen for both incidents. It's a clear foul on Duffy.
"I can see it from 50 yards and he's 20 yards away. O'Connor has gone in competitively when it comes to the red.
"He (the ref's) gone on about him having two feet off the ground.
"He's got all of the ball though. Their lad is late and he's caught O'Connor.
"That's the way the game is and that's why I want ex-players to be referees."
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Joe Jones
Notts County have slipped to their fifth League Two defeat in a row as Wycombe Wanderers claimed a 2-0 win at Meadow Lane in controversial circumstances.
The visitors began brightly, with Luke O’Nien playing Scott Kashket through in the first minute, but the former Leyton Orient man couldn’t get the ball under control.
John Sheridan's charges created their first chance on the quarter-hour mark when Matt Tootle cut inside and curled a shot from the edge of the area just wide of Jamal Blackman’s left-hand post.
Returning striker Jon Stead then had the best chance of the game so far on 22 minutes when he evaded Aaron Pierre and lashed a shot inches away from the target.
Jonathan Forte had a goal disallowed just before the half-hour mark when he rounded Blackman after an excellent pass from Stead, but the effort was wrongly ruled out for offside by Eddie Ilderton.
The Magpies would go on to rue their missed opportunities when Wycombe then took the lead on 37 minutes, Joe Jacobson whipping in a cross which was headed home by Adebayo Akinfenwa.
Notts were further hindered when skipper Michael O'Connor was shockingly sent off on the stroke of half time after a 50-50 tackle with Paris Cowan-Hall, prompting a chorus of boos at the break.
Wycombe then doubled their advantage on 55 minutes when Cowan-Hall squared for Kashket who slotted home and, despite being offside, the goal stood, infuriating Sheridan who was then sent to the stands.
Both sides finished the game a man down after Akinfenwa was also shown a red card - a second yellow - for persistent fouling.
Nonetheless, the visitors were able to see the game out and condemn Notts to a fifth league loss on the trot and a drop to 20th place in the table.
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Joe Jones
Notts County and Wycombe Wanderers have faced each other a total of 32 times over the years, with the first meeting coming as late as 1995, when the Magpies won 2-0 at Meadow Lane.
The Chairboys are way ahead in the head-to-head, having beaten Notts 15 times and drawn nine – we have beaten them just eight times.
In 1887, a meeting held at the Steam Engine public house in Station Road, High Wycombe saw the formation of Wycombe Wanderers F.C.
It is highly likely the club was named Wanderers after the famous Wanderers, winners of the first FA Cup in 1872. The club played just friendly matches between 1887 and 1896.  
Wycombe first entered the FA Amateur Cup in 1894 and the FA Cup in 1895. In 1895 the club moved to Loakes Park, which would become its home for the next 95 years.  
In 1896 the club joined the Southern League and competed in the Second Division until 1908, but in the summer of 1908 the club declined the invitation to retain their membership of the Southern League.  
The club decided to pursue amateur instead of professional football and joined the Great Western Suburban League and remained there until the outbreak of the First World War.  
After the hostilities had ended the club joined the Spartan League in 1919 and were Champions in successive years. In March 1921 the club's application to join the Isthmian League was accepted.
Wycombe enjoyed a fairytale season in 2000–01 as the club reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
First Division sides Grimsby Town, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Wimbledon were all beaten before a memorable quarter-final with Premier League side Leicester City.  
In a game that has gone down in FA Cup history, striker Roy Essandoh headed an injury-time winner to seal a 2–1 win at Filbert Street as manager Lawrie Sanchez looked on from the dressing room, having been dismissed from the touchline during the game.
The ensuing semi-final at Villa Park saw Liverpool pushed all the way by Wycombe, but the Reds claimed a 2–1 victory.
Team news
Leading scorer Jon Stead could return to the Notts County starting line-up when Wycombe visit Meadow Lane.
The nine-goal striker suffered an ankle injury in October but is ahead of schedule in his recovery and returned to action off the bench in the FA Cup draw with Peterborough last weekend.
With another week of training under his belt, Stead is in contention to lead the line.
Curtis Thompson has also returned to training after a lengthy injury lay-off and, while Magpies boss John Sheridan was more cautious about his potential return coming this weekend, the midfielder continues to make good progress and may not be far from his manager's thoughts.
Midfielder Stanley Aborah and winger Alex Rodman remain doubts as Notts County look to arrest a four-match losing run in League Two and earn only a second win in 10 league games to resurrect their play-off challenge.
Wycombe made eight changes for their EFL Trophy win at Millwall in midweek and should revert to the side which started last weekend's thumping FA Cup win at Chesterfield.
However, winger Garry Thompson scored twice in the 3-1 win against the Lions and will hope to have done enough to keep his starting spot.
Loanee Paris Cowan-Hall was ineligible for the game against his full-time employers at The Den and comes back into the squad.
Scott Kashket has five goals in his last two starts and will lead the line, while Max Muller and Danny Rowe will hope to be involved after building their match fitness following long-term injuries in midweek.
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