Head to head

Notts County and Newport County have met a total of 49 times over the years, the first fixture coming in 1930, which the Magpies won 3-2.

The head-to-head record is skewed in the Magpies’ favour, with 26 wins, 9 draws and 14 defeats.

Our last meeting was earlier this season, a 3-0 hammering of the Exiles at Meadow Lane.

Of particular note is the penultimate meeting, in May 2017, the last game of last season, and Newport won 2-1 at Rodney Parade to avoid the drop to the National League.

Our record league win is against Newport – an 11-1 hammering. We have also beaten them 5-0, 6-2, 7-0, 6-0 and 8-1 over the years.

Notts have only failed to score once in their last 14 meetings with the Exiles in all competitions (W8 D2 L4), netting 30 goals in those matches.

Stats

Newport have lost three league games on the bounce, scoring once while conceding 10. They haven't lost four in a row in League Two since January 2017 (eight games).

Notts County have only won one of their last 10 League Two games on the road (D5 L4), failing to keep a single clean sheet during that spell.

Jorge Grant has been directly involved in four goals in just two league appearances against Newport County for Notts County (three goals, one assist), more than he has against any other side for the Magpies.

History

Newport, originally nicknamed "The Ironsides" due to Newport being home to Lysaght's Orb Works steel works, started out in the Southern League in 1912 at Somerton Park.

The official name of the club was The Newport & Monmouth County Association Football Club, although the shorter Newport County was soon adopted.

The club were reformed in 1919 and were first elected to the Football League in 1920.

Newport were Welsh Cup winners in 1980 and subsequently reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup Winner's Cup in 1981.

The club was relegated from the Football League in 1988 and went out of business in February 1989, but reformed shortly afterwards and entered the English football league system at a much lower level.

In 2013 the club then won promotion back to the Football League for the first time since 1988.

In the 1970s and 1980s comedian Frank Carson was appointed as a Director and Vice President in order to raise the profile of the club.

Newport-based rappers Goldie Lookin' Chain are also supporters of the club and were the team's shirt sponsors for the 2004–05 season FAW Premier Cup matches.

Team news

Newport are without defender Scot Bennett for Notts County's visit in Sky Bet League Two.

Newport defender - and former Notts player - Scot Bennett will be out after suffering a hamstring injury and won't be back for four to eight weeks.

Mark O'Brien is set to return as Exiles boss Michael Flynn ponders switching to three at the back following Tuesday's 5-0 thrashing at Mansfield Town.

Veteran striker Paul Hayes is fit again after a groin problem, while Josh Sheehan and Emmanuel Osadebe could bolster the midfield.

Notts manager Kevin Nolan must decide whether to restore 17-goal top scorer Jorge Grant to the starting line-up after he looked jaded over the last few weeks.

Alan Smith should return to the squad after being on antibiotics, while Shaun Brisley missed out in midweek through illness and might struggle to regain his place as Brighton loanee Ben Hall did well on his debut.

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Head to head

Carlisle United and Notts County have met 33 times since their first clash back in October 1959, a Fourth Division clash that was won 2-0 by the Cumbrians.

Out of those, the Magpies have won 17 and lost 12, with just four draws.

Our last meeting was on 21 October last year, the first League Two fixture between the two this season, which ended in a 1-1 draw as Ryan Yates's 58th-minute goal cancelled out Hallam Hope's first-half opener.

Stats

The Magpies have managed just one win in their previous five league meetings with the Cumbrians, this after winning five of the previous six.

Carlisle have won back-to-back trips to Notts by an aggregate score line of 8-2, their best ever run there in the Football League.

Jorge Grant has had a hand in 19 goals in League Two this season - only two players have been involved in more, Adebayo Akinfenwa and Billy Kee.

Carlisle are yet to win an away match in all competitions in 2018, losing 4-3 at Wycombe Wanderers in their last away match.

History

The club was formed on 17 May 1904 at Shaddongate United's annual general meeting, where the club's members voted to change the team's name to Carlisle United.

The newly formed club initially played at Milhome Bank and later at Devonshire Park, finally settling at their current home Brunton Park in 1909.

In 1949, the club became the first to appoint Bill Shankly as manager. Shankly, a former player at Carlisle, later went on to manage local rivals Workington (helping them finish above Carlisle for the first time) before being appointed as manager of Liverpool in 1959.

The Cumbrians have spent a season in the top flight, back in 1974-75, and recorded a double over Everton, as well as home victories over eventual champions Derby County, former titleholders Ipswich Town, Arsenal, Burnley, Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers. They were relegated at the end of the season though.

Despite their small stature, the club has experienced moderate success with regards to silverware – they have won a Third Division title back in 1965, two fourth-tier championships in 1995 and 2006, and two Football League Trophies, back in 1997 and 2011.

Trivia

Carlisle staged their 'home' fixture against Notts at Preston North End's Deepdale stadium in December 2015 due to floods in Cumbria which impacted on Brunton Park as well.

Carlisle is one of the northernmost clubs in the Football League, just 10 miles from the Scottish border, and one that’s normally mentioned among the most difficult away days – talk of “Carlisle away” is one for the most hardcore fans, especially in midweek (Newcastle United are further north than Carlisle, however).

Carlisle is the smallest location, by population, to have had a resident top-flight English football club since 1906. Prior to this, Accrington FC, Darwen, Grimsby Town & Glossop North End were smaller.

Carlisle are famous for one of the most dramatic Great Escape scenarios in all of English football, when on-loan goalkeeper Jimmy Glass scored in the last 10 seconds of their final game of the 1998-99 season against Plymouth Argyle to keep the Cumbrians in the Football League at the expense of Scarborough.

Team news

On-loan striker Mason Bennett will be unavailable for the foreseeable future after coming off in the first half of the 1-0 loss to Barnet with a hamstring problem.

Kevin Nolan admitted that a virus is currently sweeping through the Notts camp and rendering players unwell, joking that "every 24 hours we're getting two players back but losing another two".

Elliott Hewitt missed County's previous two games with illness but may potentially have shaken it off.

Carlisle boss Curle has reported no new injury or suspension concerns as he prepares to face his former club.

Skipper Danny Grainger missed Saturday's home draw against Colchester United and it remains to be seen if he returns to contention.

Tom Parkes will continue at left-back if Grainger is ruled out again, with Gary Liddle set to continue as captain in central defence alongside Clint Hill.

Reggie Lambe, Richie Bennett and John O'Sullivan are pushing for recalls after stepping off the bench at the weekend.

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Head to head

Notts County and Barnet have met 18 times over the years.

The head to head stands at 10 wins for Notts, 5 for Barnet, and 3 draws.

The first meeting took place only 20 years ago, the Magpies winning 2-1 at Underhill in Division Three

The last fixture was on October 14 last year, a 2-1 win for Notts at Meadow Lane thanks to goals from Shola Ameobi and Ryan Yates, while Simeon Akinola struck a consolation with nine minutes left.

Stats

The home side has won each of the last eight meetings between these two sides in League Two, with Notts winning five to Barnet's three.

The Magpies have won each of the last two encounters between these two teams, including a 2-1 win at Meadow Lane earlier this season. They last won three consecutive games against Barnet in the EFL in January 2006.

Graham Westley has managed three home league matches against Notts and failed to see his side score in any.

Since winning four of their first five League Two away games this season, the Magpies have won just one of the next nine.

Jon Stead has been directly involved in six of Notts County's last nine league goals (four goals, two assists).

History

The club was founded in Chipping Barnet, then part of Hertfordshire, in 1888.

Several incarnations of the club existed before the third Barnet FC, created after the First World War, came to be - this entity continues till today.

Barnet have won the Football Conference a record three times - in 1991, 2005, and 2015, as well as finishing second three other times.

Aside from a runners-up medal in the 1971-72 FA Trophy, their silverware cabinet is restricted to minor trophies.

A number of Barnet players have gone on to represent Premier League clubs. They include Dougie Freedman, Marlon King, Andy Clarke, Linvoy Primus, Maik Taylor, Mark Gower, Jason Puncheon, Yannick Bolasie and Albert Adomah.

Players who came to the club towards the end of their careers include Jimmy Greaves, Mark Lawrenson, David Hillier, Alan Pardew, Eddie Newton, Paul Warhurst, Steve Kabba, John Oster, Jonathan Fortune, Edgar Davids and Lee Cook.

Team news

Barnet will once again be without suspended midfielder Dan Sweeney as they welcome Notts to the Hive Stadium.

Sweeney serves the second game of a three-match ban after he was punished retrospectively for an off-the-ball incident against Cheltenham Town a fortnight ago.

Bees goalkeeper Jamie Stephens is still recovering from a hamstring injury, while defender Harry Taylor (metatarsal) and forward Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro (knee) are also out.

Left-back Elliott Johnson and striker Dave Tarpey (both knee) remain long-term absentees.

Notts County boss Kevin Nolan is hoping Elliott Hewitt and Matt Tootle return to give him a fully-fit squad to choose from.

Hewitt missed the FA Cup replay at Swansea after picking up a virus at the team hotel in south Wales.

Tootle has been out for nearly a month through illness but played in a behind-closed-doors game on Tuesday for 70 minutes.

Goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons is available again after serving a three-match ban.

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Notts County travel to the Liberty Stadium on Tuesday night for an FA Cup fourth-round replay against Swansea City with a fifth-round trip to Sheffield Wednesday up for grabs.

How will the Magpies fare against the Swans? Can Kevin Nolan's charges build on their 1-1 draw at Meadow Lane or will Swansea's Premier League quality show?

Here is Pride of Nottingham's pre-match preview.

What happened in the first game

Notts began brightly against the top-flight strugglers but their opponents soon stepped up a gear and had the hosts under the cosh before finding the net on the stroke of half time through Luciano Narsingh.

The Magpies were much improved in the second half, however, as Jorge Grant spurned three gilt-edged chances in quick succession.

Eventually, County's pressure was rewarded as veteran striker Jon Stead turned home on the hour to draw the Magpies level and ultimately clinch a replay at the Liberty Stadium.

Current form

The Swans have improved drastically in recent weeks under Carlos Carvalhal, with three wins and two draws from their last six Premier League games, including wins over Liverpool and Arsenal.

Notts endured a tricky January form-wise in League Two but head into this game on the back of a 4-1 win over Crewe Alexandra, with a return to 4-4-2 reaping dividends for the Magpies.

Stats

Swansea will be hosting Notts for the first time since a League Two clash in December 2004, with cult hero Lee Trundle netting a hat-trick in a 4-0 win for the hosts.

The Swans have lost three of their last five FA Cup replays in which they have been the higher ranked side, although they did beat Wolves in the last round, 2-1 in a third-round replay.

Notts County have only progressed from one of their last five FA Cup replays, last winning in a replay against Premier League opposition in February 2010, 2-0 v Wigan.

Swansea have won three games in a row at the Liberty Stadium in all competitions for the first time since their final three Premier League home games of 2016-17 - they last won four in a row at home in May 2016.

Team news

Striker Wilfried Bony and midfielder Leroy Fer have been ruled out for the rest of the season after picking up long-term injuries.

On-loan midfielder Renato Sanches is also out for a month with a hamstring injury.

Leon Britton and Angel Rangel are also unavailable for Tuesday night's clash, while Andre Ayew and Andy King are cup-tied.

Notts have no new injury concerns ahead of the fourth-round replay, although goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons remains suspended.

Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Ben Hall is ineligible and fellow deadline day loan signing Mason Bennett is cup-tied, having played for Derby County.

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Head to head

Notts County’s head-to-head history with Crewe Alexandra dates back to September 1893, when the Magpies faced the Railwaymen at the Alexandra Recreation Ground. The result was a 2-0 win for Notts.

After several further meetings in the late 1890s, the fixture would experience a hiatus of 63 years; between 1896 and 1959, the two teams didn't play each other.

Notts and Crewe have played 44 times in competitive games, and we have the upper hand with 21 wins to 14 defeats, while 9 draws have taken place.

The Alex have been on the receiving end of several thumpings at the hands of the Magpies – in 1894, we beat them 9-1 and 5-1, in 1896 we won 6-0, in 1959 we recorded a 4-1 victory and 1970 brought a 5-1 win.

In 2013, a 4-0 scoreline at Meadow Lane brought some light to a gloomy first half of the campaign.

Notts are unbeaten in their last six home league games against Crewe (three wins and three draws), finding the net at least once in all six matches (12 goals), since a 0-1 defeat in March 1997.

Crewe are unbeaten in their last three League Two clashes against the Magpies (one win and two draws), last going four without a defeat against them in all competitions in November 1966 (five games).

Stats

After a run of just one defeat in 23 league games at home, The Magpies have now lost back to back league matches on home soil for the first time since December 2016 (a run of 5).

The Railwaymen have lost each of their last three away games in League Two, and have lost 14 of their last 17 league games on the road (W3) in a run stretching back to April 2017.

Veteran forward Jon Stead has bagged four of Notts County's last five league goals, as well as netting their last two FA Cup goals, including their equaliser against Premier League side Swansea City last time out.

Crewe Alexandra have lost a league-high 20 points from winning positions in League Two so far this season, whilst also claiming a league-low one point from losing positions in the competition this campaign.

History

The origins of the “Alexandra” moniker in the club name aren’t fully known.

Whether they took the name from a hotel, patronised by those connected with the railway works and where they held their meetings, or whether it was after Princess Alexandra of Denmark, who married Queen Victoria’s eldest son, later King Edward VII, is open to speculation.

In 2013, the club won its first-ever major silverware after beating Southend United 2-0 in the Johnstones Paint Trophy final at Wembley.

Crewe are known as the Railwaymen because of the town’s links to the British train network. Crewe station was completed in 1837 and is one of the most historic railway stations in the world.

Nowadays, as well as serving the town of Crewe that has grown near it, it still operates as a major junction on the West Coast Main Line (WCML).

It also serves as a major station on the WCML and as a major rail gateway for the North West.

Team news

Notts have forward Mason Bennett and defender Ben Hall to call upon, the pair having joined the club on loan from Derby County and Brighton respectively on transfer deadline day.

Midfielder Matty Virtue is available once more after serving a one-game ban but goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons remains sidelined for another two matches for his straight red against Crawley.

Crewe could hand a debut to defender Jamie Sterry, who joined on loan from Newcastle on deadline day.

David Artell's defensive options have however taken a hit as Zoumana Bakayogo misses out through suspension.

Fellow defender Michael Raynes faces a fitness test, as does goalkeeper Dave Richards after he was forced off in the Swindon loss with a calf problem.

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Head to head

Notts County have met Swansea City/Town 70 times over the years - the Magpies have 24 wins, the Swans have 30 wins, and 16 games have been drawn.

The first meeting came on 23 October 1926 in Division Two, Swansea Town winning 3-1 at Meadow Lane.

The last time both sides met was in League Two on 5 March 2005, a 1-0 win for the Magpies thanks to Mark Stallard's 50th-minute goal.

The last meeting between these two sides in the FA Cup came in January 1934, with the Swans winning 1-0 at home.

Stats

Notts County have reached the fifth round on just one occasion this century, beating Wigan Athletic 2-0 in a fourth-round replay in 2009-10.

The last time Swansea reached the fourth round was in 2014-15, losing to Championship side Blackburn 3-1 at Ewood Park.

In fact, the Swans have been eliminated from two of their last three ties against lower league opponents.

After being eliminated in eight successive FA Cup ties against top-flight opposition, the Magpies have progressed in two of the last four - beating Wigan in 2010 and Sunderland in 2011.

Swansea City have won just eight competitive games all season so far - three of which have come against lower-league opposition in domestic cup competitions.

History

Swansea City began life in 1912 as Swansea Town Athletic Football Club.

Following the lead of many other South Wales sides, the club joined the Second Division of the Southern League for the following season.

J. W. Thorpe was the club's first chairman.

A site owned by Swansea Gaslight Co., called Vetch Field due to the vegetables that grew there, was rented to be the club's ground.

The club's first professional match was a 1–1 draw at the Vetch Field against Cardiff City on 7 September 1912.

During that first season the Welsh Cup was won for the first time. The Swans beat reigning English champions Blackburn Rovers 1–0 in the first round of the 1914–15 FA Cup, Swansea's goal coming from Ben Beynon.

Following the First World War the Southern League dropped its Second Division, and with many clubs dropping out due to financial difficulties, the Swans were placed in the First Division.

After four seasons in the Southern League, Swansea became founder members of the new Third Division of The Football League in 1920 and then Division Three (South) the following season.

The club changed their name in 1969, when they adopted the name Swansea City to reflect Swansea's new status as a city.

Swansea moved to the new Liberty Stadium during the summer of 2005. The first competitive game was a 1–0 victory against Tranmere Rovers in August 2005.

Team news

Notts County goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons and defender Matty Virtue are both banned for Notts County after being sent off against Crawley Town.

Matt Tootle has missed the last two games through illness and remains out for Saturday's FA Cup encounter with the Swans.

Swansea, meanwhile, have no injury concerns - striker Tammy Abraham, defender Angel Rangel and Bayern Munich loanee Renato Sanches have all trained and could feature at Meadow Lane.

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Head to head

Notts County have played Crawley Town 11 times in their history.

The first fixture between the two was on 10 November 2012 at Meadow Lane, a League One meeting which finished 1-1.

Meanwhile the return fixture, played away on 9 March 2013, ended as a goalless draw.

The record stands at seven Notts wins, two Crawley wins, and two draws - all games took place either in League One or League Two.

Notts have won their last five games in a row agains Crawley, and seven of the last eight.

Stats

Notts have only won two of their last eight games, drawing four and losing two.

Despite still sitting second in League Two, the chasing pack are now just a few points behind.

Accrington Stanley and Exeter City now have the possibility to leapfrog the Magpies with their game in hand.

Crawley, meanwhile, have won six of their last 10, allaying their early-season relegation fears.

Harry Kewell's side went into last weekend's game on the back of a three-match winning run but lost 2-1 at Newport County on Friday night.

History

Crawley Town have been a non-league side for the majority of their history.

In the 2010s, when Notts were struggling to survive in the old Second Division, Crawley had just been promoted from the Southern Football League.

Crawley have won plenty of silverware in their history, though the majority of it is amateur-based.

This changed when they won the Conference National title in 2011 and the League Two title just a year later.

2010-11 was a record-breaking season not just for Crawley, but also for the Conference.

The West Sussex club broke the points total in one season (105) and tie with other teams for most wins in one season (31), fewest defeats (3), and highest goal difference (+63).

Because of this season, alongside the funds they had to buy players and an unlikeable manager (Steve Evans), they were known as “the Manchester United of non-league football”.

The town of Crawley is known for being close - just three miles in fact - to Gatwick Airport, the world's busiest single-runway international airport.

Famous people who have links to Crawley include Australian footballer Kevin Muscat (born in Crawley), Gareth Southgate (attended the town's Hazelwick School), English rock band The Cure (formed in Crawley, several of its members attended St Wilfrid's RC School) and Gorillaz lead singer 2D (a fictional character, his back story claims he grew up in the town).

Team news

Shaun Brisley was taken off against Exeter City and Kevin Nolan says the defender has a haematoma and will not be risked against Crawley.

Richard Duffy was back in training on Monday, while Matt Tootle sat it out, but both players could potentially play a role in Tuesday night's game.

Crawley team news to follow.

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Head to head

Notts County and Exeter City have met a total of 45 times over their history.

The first meeting came at St James’ Park in Division Three (South) on 1 November 1930, and it finished as a 3-3 draw.

The Magpies have an excellent record against the Grecians; from 45 competitive encounters, Notts have won 18 and drawn 19.

Our last meeting was on September 26 at St James' Park, where Notts outlined their promotion credentials with a 3-0 win over their fellow high-flyers.

Notts are unbeaten in their last three League Two matches against the Grecians (W2 D1), keeping clean sheets in two of those matches.

However, Exeter have avoided defeat in each of their last two visits to Meadow Lane in League Two (W1 D1), including a 4-1 away win in this exact fixture in the 2015/16 campaign.

Stats

Along with Brentford, The Magpies are currently enjoying the longest home unbeaten run in the 2017/18 campaign only of all the sides in the English Football League (13 games - W10 D3), last losing at home in the league back in April 2017.

Exeter on the other hand, have lost each of their last five league games on the road, failing to score more than one goal in any of those matches. They last lost more away games on the bounce when they were defeated in nine such consecutive games between February and April 2012.

Jorge Grant has scored three goals in his two league appearances for Notts County against Exeter despite starting neither of those games, averaging a goal every 22 minutes on the field against the Grecians.

History

Exeter was formed in 1901 as St. Sidwell's United and played in the Southern League from 1908 until 1920, when that league's top division was absorbed into The Football League as its new Division Three.

The club was the first ever team to play the Brazilian national team in 1914, a match which was commemorated in a 2014 friendly game against Fluminense.

City took 60 years to achieve their first ever promotion, finishing fourth in Division Four in the 1963–64 season.

Since then, the club have mostly yo-yoed between the third and fourth divisions, spending five years in the Conference between 2003 and 2008; having been promoted a further four times (in 1976–77, 1989–90, 2007–08 and 2008–09) and relegated five times (in 1965–66,1983–84, 1993–94, 2002–03 and 2011–12).

Famous fans include Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, Adrian Edmondson, Mark Nicol and Noel Edmonds.

Singer Joss Stone signed up as a member of the Supporters' Trust, being introduced to fans on the pitch as a new member during a League Cup match against Liverpool.

In 2002 pop singer Michael Jackson was made honorary director of Exeter City. He visited St James Park with celebrity friend Uri Geller, who was also a director.

The crew of the HMS Defender also adopted Exeter City as their home team and use their strip if playing games whilst on tour.

Team news

Shola Ameobi returned from a four-match injury absence as a second-half substitute in last weekend's draw at Lincoln City and is expected to feature against Exeter.

Should Magpies manager Kevin Nolan opt to restore Ameobi to his starting line up, Lewis Alessandra could be the player to make way.

Nolan was this week boosted by the news that Nottingham Forest will let Jorge Grant remain on loan at Meadow Lane for the remainder of the season.

Exeter captain Jordan Moore-Taylor is rated a 50/50 chance to be fit in time for Saturday's game - the 23-year-old has not played since December 30 due to injury.

Fellow defenders Troy Brown and Luke Croll, who have been absent even longer than Moore-Taylor are also back in training but are not yet ready for first team action.

Midfielder Hiram Boateng will be hoping for a place in the starting line-up after coming off the bench against Coventry last week.

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Head to head

Notts County and Lincoln City have met a total of 66 times in competitive matches over the years.

The first fixture took the place all the way back in November 1893, a Division Two game in Nottingham which resulted in an away win for the Imps.

The record currently stands at 35 wins for Notts, 15 defeats, and 16 draws.

Notts and Lincoln have played twice this season already - the Magpies won the first fixture 4-1 in League Two whilst Lincoln won 2-1 in the EFL Trophy in November.

The Magpies won their last league visit to Lincoln 3-0 in September 2009, ending a run of four trips without winning there in League Two.

Stats

The Imps have only lost one of their last seven league games, keeping four clean sheets in that time.

The Magpies have won just once on the road in League Two in their last eight attempts and have not kept a clean sheet on their travels in the competition since September.

History

Lincoln City were officially formed in 1884 as an amateur association - even though there had been a team playing since the 1860s - and turned professional in the 1891-92 season.

The following season, Lincoln became one of the 12 founder members of the Second Division alongside Small Heath, Sheffield Utd, Darwen, Grimsby, Ardwick, Burton Swifts, Northwich Victoria, Bootle, Crewe, Burslem, Port Vale and Walsall T. Swifts.

In 1895, Lincoln moved to Sincil Bank from the John O'Gaunts ground. They drew their first game at Sincil Bank 0-0 with Gainsborough Trinity and also drew their first League game 1-1 with Woolwich Arsenal.

Lincoln have never won a major trophy in their history but have got their hands on the Division 3 (North) title three times, in 1932, 1948, and 1952, as well as winning League Two in 1976 and claiming the premier non-league title in 1988 and 2017.

Last year, the Imps made history by becoming the first non-league side to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup since Queens Park Rangers in 1914.

Lincoln developed from the Roman town of Lindum Colonia, which developed from an Iron Age settlement.

Its major landmarks are Lincoln Cathedral, a famous example of English Gothic architecture, and Lincoln Castle, an 11th-century Norman castle.

Team news

Lincoln will be without midfielder Harry Anderson, who must serve a one-match ban following his red card in the 4-2 loss to Luton Town on New Year's Day.

The Imps have made several key signings this month as Lee Frecklington, Danny Rowe, Jordan Williams and James Wilson all arrived at Sincil Bank.

However, Josh Ginnelly has been recalled by Burnley, while Billy Knott has left on loan to Rochdale.

For Notts, Shola Ameobi has missed the last four matches with a knock but he is nearing a return.

Magpies manager Kevin Nolan, who this weekend celebrates one year in charge at Meadow Lane, suffered a blow this week when Nottingham Forest recalled Ryan Yates from his loan spell and sent him to Scunthorpe.

However, Liverpool Under-23s captain Matty Virtue has joined on loan, while fellow midfielder Noor Husin has joined from Crystal Palace on an 18-month deal, not to mention Liam Noble being back at Notts and pushing for a starting place.

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Head to head and stats

Brentford and Notts County will be meeting in for just the second time in the FA Cup, the Bees winning 4-0 in their only competition encounter in December 1964.

Both sides have met 75 times in competitive action, the first game taking place on 24 September 1930 in Division Three (South), a 2-2 draw.

The record stands at 20 wins for Notts, 27 draws, and 28 defeats.

Our last fixture took place on 5 April 2014, a 3-1 defeat for Notts at Griffin Park, the Bees subsequently going up into the Championship.

Notts haven't beaten Brentford since 28 February 2004 in Division Two. Eight consecutive draws then took place before the Bees won the following four games against the Magpies.

Brentford have lost their last five FA Cup games against league opposition since drawing 2-2 with current holders at the time Chelsea in January 2013, eventually losing the replay 0-4.

Notts have conceded exactly two goals in seven of their last eight FA Cup matches, which comprise of three wins, two draws, and three defeats.

The Magpies are in the third round for the first time since 2012, progressing to the fourth round on the last three occasions they've reached this stage.

History

Brentford FC started life in 1889 because the members of the Brentford Rowing Club wanted to engage in a sport as filler during the winter months. By 8 votes to 5, they opted for football instead of rugby.

Notts legend Tommy Lawton played for Brentford directly after his talismanic spell with the Magpies, scoring 17 goals in 50 games between 1951 and 1953.

Lawton also served as player/manager in his final year with the club before leaving for Arsenal.

Between 1954 and 2014, Brentford had experienced football higher than the third tier for just one season, in 1991-92.

Brentford is a popular team with many musicians who grace the pages of NME. Hard-Fi lead singer and guitarist Richard Archer, Bluetones guitarist Adam Devlin, Status Quo bassist John "Rhino" Edwards, The Who guitarist Pete Townshend and Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman are all supporters of the Hounslow club.

Gunnersbury Park Museum is in Gunnersbury House, narrowly in Gunnersbury (the north-west of Chiswick) containing artifacts and former furnishings of the Rothschild family, who were culturally and financially pre-eminent across France, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and North America (basically, one of the most powerful families in the world).

Kew Bridge Steam Museum houses the world's largest working beam engine and its narrow cuboid tower is an emblem of the town.

Team news

Striker Emiliano Marcondes may make his debut for Championship Brentford after being a substitute in the defeat to Wolves.

Midfielder Alan Judge is expected to face his old club in his first game in 21 months following a broken leg, but left-back Rico Henry is out with an injured knee.

Lewis Macleod is another looking for game time as he builds up his fitness following a cruciate ligement injury.

Notts midfielder Liam Noble is finally set to make his first appearance since returning to the club, while the Magpies could also welcome back veteran striker Shola Ameobi.

Rob Milson might be involved again after injury while the likes of Carl Dickinson, Nicky Hunt, Terry Hawkridge and Alan Smith are options should Magpies manager Kevin Nolan wish to make changes.

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Head to head and stats

Notts County have met Port Vale 102 times over the years, with the first two fixtures coming within a week of each other back in February 1921.

The Magpies won the first game 2-1, but lost 1-0 at Meadow Lane.

Notts have the upper edge having won 46 games, lost 36, and drawn 20 against the Valiants, with the highest scoring matches coming in February 1927 (a 6-2 defeat) and April 1935 (a 5-3 defeat).

Our last meeting was on September 2 this year, with County winning 1-0 at Vale Park.

None of the last 17 league matches between these sides has ended as a draw - Notts County have won eight and Port Vale have won nine of those 17 games.

The Valiants, 1-0 winners in this exact fixture in the third-tier in February 2015, haven't won back to back league matches at Meadow Lane since January 2002.

The Magpies won 17 home matches in all competitions in 2017 - two more than in 2015 and 2016 combined (15).

Port Vale have lost nine of their last 11 league matches on New Year's Day, drawing the other two - they last won in 1990, hammering Ipswich 5-0 in a second-tier fixture.

Neil Aspin’s men are currently unbeaten in five league games, their last two matches against Coventry and Luton yielding two wins, five goals scored, and none conceded.

History

Port Vale is one of the few English league clubs not to be named after a geographical location.

The name Port Vale exists on maps pre–dating the formation of the club, which probably occurred in 1879, and is a reference to a valley of ports on the Trent and Mersey Canal, associated with the city's pottery industry.

The club itself is actually based in Burslem, one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent.

Port Vale have never been in the top tier of English football, and the last time they were in the second tier was back in 1999-2000.

In terms of silverware, the Valiants have won the Staffordshire Senior Cup twice, in 1920 and 2001, whilst being runners-up in 1900 and 2010, as well as several other regional cups like the Birmingham Senior Cup, one of the oldest county football competitions still active.

The club, despite being fairly small, enjoys the support of some world-famous celebrities, including singer Robbie Williams, darts legend Phil "The Power" Taylor, and Blue singer Simon Webbe.

Team news

Shola Ameobi, Jonathan Forte and Rob Milsom remain doubts for Notts County against Port Vale after missing the 1-0 defeat at Swindon Town.

Boss Kevin Nolan was hopeful the trio might return to face the Robins after missing the clash against Morecambe, but none of them made the matchday squad for the game at the County Ground.

Richard Duffy dropped out of the squad altogether after being substituted on Boxing Day and could miss out again.

Matt Tootle, Carl Dickinson and Terry Hawkridge were brought into the team on Saturday and will be hoping to keep their places.

For Port Vale, James Gibbons is back in contention as he returns from suspension.

The defender has missed the last four games after being handed a second red card of the season in the recent FA Cup defeat at Yeovil.

The Valiants extended their unbeaten league run to five games with an emphatic 4-0 win against Luton on Saturday, so manager Neil Aspin could be tempted to go with the same XI.

Defender Kjell Knops remains a long-term absentee due to a knee injury, as does Adam Yates, who is recovering from fractures to his nose, cheekbone and eye socket sustained in November.

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Head to head

Notts County have met Swindon Town on 64 occasions, the first time being in the FA Cup over a century ago.

On that day in January 1911, the Robins beat the Magpies 2-0 at the County Ground.

In terms of head to head, 25 games have been won by Notts, 27 by Swindon, and 12 have been drawn.

Swindon suffered a 0-1 defeat to Notts County on match day seven; despite failing to score on that occasion, the Robins have netted six goals in their last three matches against Notts County, more than in their previous nine combined in all competitions.

Swindon Town have won five of their last eight home games against Notts County in the Football League (D2 L1), keeping six clean sheets in the process; in fact, Notts County have failed to score at the County Ground since their 2-1 victory back in April 2011.

Stats

Swindon have lost three home games in a row in League Two and have won just 11 points at the County Ground this season, a joint-league low on home soil (alongside Forest Green Rovers and Crawley Town).

Jorge Grant has had a hand in more goals (18) than any other player in League Two this season (13 goals, five assists).

History

The club was founded in 1879 by Reverend William Baker Pitt.

Whilst curate of Christ Church, the high church of Swindon, Pitt formed Swindon Association Football Club to provide recreation for young men in his parish.

Swindon won the Southern League championship in 1910-11, earning themselves a Charity Shield clash with Football League champions Manchester United.

This, the highest-scoring Charity Shield game to date, was played on 25 September 1911 at Stamford Bridge with Manchester United winning 8–4!

Some of the proceeds of this game were later donated to the survivors of the Titanic.

During World War II, The War Department – the government body responsible for the supply of equipment to the armed forces in the UK – took over the County Ground in 1940.

For a while, prisoners of war were housed in huts placed on the pitch. For this, the club received compensation of £4,570 at war’s end.

Swindon Town were the first League club to use floodlights, having had them installed in 1951.

The County Ground is also the only football stadium in the world with a Rolex watch acting as its timekeeper –the clock on the Stratton Bank stand featuring its name was erected to celebrate promotion in 1963.

Swindon have spent one season in the top flight, in 1992-93, during which Glenn Hoddle managed them.

Sadly, they didn't do too well, being relegated at the end of the season after conceding 100 goals.

The most notable silverware in the Robins’ possession is undoubtedly the League Cup, won in 1969 after beating Arsenal in the final at Wembley.

Royle Family and Two Pints Of Lager actor Ralf Little was rumoured to be on trial at Swindon back in 2002, though the funnyman later claimed that he was just training with the squad.

Jazz singer Jamie Cullum is also a fan of the Robins.

Team news

Swindon boss David Flitcroft will consider changes after Luton beat them 5-0 at the County Ground on Boxing Day, leaving the Robins winless at home in League Two since October.

Fit-again Scott Twine, Kellan Gordon, Ellis Iandolo and Chris Robertson could all come into the reckoning, but Harry Smith has played his final game for Swindon as the on-loan striker has returned to parent club Millwall.

Notts County will assess strikers Shola Ameobi and Jonathan Forte, as well as midfielder Rob Milsom.

All three players missed the Boxing Day win at Morecambe with knocks but Magpies manager Kevin Nolan is hopeful he will have the trio back in contention on Saturday.

Lewis Alessandra took full advantage of his opportunity in the absence of Ameobi and Forte by scoring twice and he will hope that is enough to see him retain his place in the side.

Defender Carl Dickinson and midfielder Terry Hawkridge are among those who will come into Nolan's thinking should he opt to freshen things up.

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Head to head

Notts County and Morecambe have met 11 times in their history, with the first ever clash taking place 10 years ago, in September 2007.

On that day, it ended as a 1-1 draw, Michael Twiss putting the visitors ahead at Meadow Lane in the first half, before the late Richard Butcher equalised in the 87th minute.

The Shrimpers are ahead in the head-to-head, with Notts having lost to them five times, beaten them twice, and drawn thrice.

The Magpies ended a run of four League Two matches without a win against Morecambe when the sides met on September 9, claiming a 2-0 victory - their first clean sheet against the Shrimps since December 2008.

This fixture has yielded a scoreline of 4-1 three times already - once in our favour and twice in Morecambe's.

The fixture on 19 September 2009 was former Arsenal and England legend Sol Campbell's only game in a Magpies shirt.

Meanwhile the rematch later in the season, on 17 April 2010, is when Notts mathematically secured promotion to League One.

Stats

Notts County have lost each of their last three Boxing Day fixtures in the EFL, including the last time they were on their travels in 2013 (2-1 at Port Vale).

Meanwhile Morecambe have only won two of their last six Boxing Day fixtures (L4), failing to score more than once in any of those games.

History

Football in the town dates back to the turn of the 20th century; however, it was not until 7 May 1920 that Morecambe FC was formed. The club then took its place in the Lancashire Combination League for the 1920–21 season.

The fourteen years from 1960 could be said to be Morecambe's golden era. This included an FA Cup third round appearance in 1961–62, a 1–0 defeat to Weymouth; a Lancashire Senior Cup Final victory in 1968, a 2–1 win over Burnley; and an FA Trophy success at Wembley in 1974, a 2–1 win over Dartford in the final.

Morecambe, a non-league side for most of their history, were promoted to the Football League for the first time in 2007 after winning the Conference Playoff Final, beating Exeter City 2–1 at Wembley in front of over 40,000 fans.

Morecambe was a thriving seaside resort in the mid-20th century. While the resort of Blackpool attracted holiday-makers predominantly from the Lancashire mill towns, Morecambe had more visitors from Yorkshire, due to its railway connection, and Scotland.

Between 1956 and 1989 Morecambe was the home of the Miss Great Britain beauty contest.

Team news

Notts will assess the fitness of Jonathan Forte and Shola Ameobi before making the trip to Lancashire.

Both strikers are nursing knocks following Saturday's 3-3 home draw with Cambridge United, with Forte hurting his hip while scoring the Magpies' equalising goal in stoppage time.

Should neither be available on Boxing Day, Lewis Alessandra could return to the starting XI to partner Jon Stead up front - if manager Kevin Nolan opts to play with two strikers.

Left-back Dan Jones will hope to be recalled to the team after impressing as a substitute for half an hour against Shaun Derry's side.

For Morecambe, midfielder Kevin Ellison could be in contention after starting on the bench in the 2-1 defeat by Mansfield after making a recovery from a hamstring injury.

Callum Lang scored against the Stags to notch his second goal in three games and could keep his place in Bentley's starting line-up.

The Shrimps will be without goalkeeper Danijel Nizic after he was called up to the Australia Under-23 squad for the Asian Federation Cup.

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Head to head

Notts County and Cambridge United have met 27 times in their history.

The first meeting came on Boxing Day 1970 at Meadow Lane, with the Magpies earning a 4-1 win.

Notts hold the advantage in the head to head, with 11 wins, 7 draws and 9 defeats against the U’s.

Recent form is not good, however - we've lost our last four meetings against Cambridge.

The last meeting was on 2 January this year at the Abbey Stadium, and we lost 4-0.

Notts County are on a run of five League Two matches without a victory against Cambridge (D1 L4) having previously won three on the bounce in all competitions.

Cambridge have won back-to-back away Football League matches against Cambridge for just the second time; they have never done so on three consecutive trips.

43 points from 22 games is Notts County's best return in a league season since 1987/88 (3rd tier) and nearly twice the tally of points they had won at this stage last season (22).

Cambridge have scored just seven goals in their last 12 League Two matches, failing to score in seven of these games.

History

The club was founded in 1912 as Abbey United before taking the name Cambridge United in 1951.

It first competed in the Football League in 1970 and stayed there until relegation in 2005, nine seasons in the Conference following until climbing back out of non-league.

Cambridge have had two spells in the league's second tier, and reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup twice and Football League Cup once during the early 1990s, the club's most successful era to date.

United's highest ever finishing place in the Football League is fifth in the Second Division during the 1991–92 season, competing in a season-ending four team playoff for the final promotion slot to the Premier League's inaugural season.

The club is based at the Abbey Stadium on Newmarket Road, approximately 1.86 miles east of Cambridge city centre. The stadium has a capacity of 8,127, made up of terracing and seated areas.

During their days in Division Two, with John Beck at the helm in the 1980's, the club earned a reputation for bizarre training methods and "dirty tricks" to make their opponents feel ill at ease.

These included freezing cold showers for his own players, dirty changing rooms and deflated kick-about balls for the opposition and long grass in the corners of the pitch to slow the long balls into those areas, allowing the U’s forwards to reach them.

Beck carried on his dirty tricks even after leaving to take charge of Preston North End – taking nine of the Cambridge United players with him.

He was not the only famous manager at the club, with Ron Atkinson taking the club from Fourth to Second division and Ex-England and Derby County centre-half Roy McFarland also sitting in the hot seat.

Before their entry into the League, a local animal sanctuary had an escapee and it was found grazing on the pitch at the Abbey Stadium. This lead to the moose connection with the club, and in the club shop you can buy a range of moose souvenirs to show your allegiance to the U’s.

Famous alumni include Dion Dublin and Luke Chadwick, while famous fans include football commentator Gary Newbon and Tom Findlay of Groove Armada.

And connecting the two clubs – none other than former Notts manager Shaun Derry, now a the helm of the U’s.

Team news

Adam Collin is back in training and rebuilding match fitness after suffering a knee injury in October, but Saturday's match comes too soon for the goalkeeper.

Club captain Michael O'Connor remains a long-term absentee having suffered a major knee injury in April.

Jonathan Forte, Lewis Alessandra and Rob Milsom all stand by in hope of recalls.

Cambridge boss Shaun Derry goes to his former club with his future on the line and he could make changes.

Striker Uche Ikpeazu is available again following a one-match suspension.

Last Saturday's last-gasp loss to Newport means United have just one win in eight games, while they are the lowest scoring side in the division and Derry has only been assured of his position for the Christmas period.

Ade Azeez played 90 minutes on his first start following three months out with a calf injury.

Derry named just four substitutes against Newport and could be short of options, with Gary Deegan and David Amoo expected to miss out again.

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Head to head

Notts County and Grimsby Town have met a total of 80 times over the years.

The first fixture came on 5 October 1893. Notts won the Division Two clash 2-0 at Trent Bridge.

The Magpies have 27 wins, while the Mariners have 33, and 20 games have been drawn.

Our last meeting was in League Two last season at Blundell Park on 21 January, and the Mariners won 2-0.

Stats

Notts County are winless in their last four home league meetings with Grimsby, although three these matches have been drawn (L1).

The Mariners have lost just one of their last five EFL encounters with the Magpies (W2 D2), conceding just four goals.

Jorge Grant has been directly involved in seven goals in his last six League Two outings (4 goals, 3 assists).

Grimsby are the only side yet to lose a single point from a winning position in League Two this season.

History

Grimsby Town FC was formed in 1878 after a meeting held at the Wellington Arms public house in Freeman Street, Grimsby.

Several attendees included members of the local Worsley Cricket Club who wanted to form a football club to occupy the empty winter evenings after the cricket season had finished

The club was originally called Grimsby Pelham, this being the family name of the Earl of Yarborough, a significant landowner in the area.

In 1880 the club purchased land at Clee Park which was to become their ground until 1889 when they relocated to Abbey Park, before moving again in 1899 to their present home, Blundell Park.

The club is the most successful of the three professional league clubs in historic Lincolnshire, being the only one to play top-flight football. It is also the only club of the three to reach an FA Cup semi-final (doing so on two occasions) and is the only one to succeed in two finals at the old Wembley Stadium. It has also spent more time in the English game's first and second tiers than any other club from Lincolnshire.

Notable managers include Bill Shankly, who went on to guide Liverpool to three League titles, two FA Cups and a UEFA Cup triumph and Lawrie McMenemy who, after securing promotion to the then third division in 1972, moved to Southampton where he won the FA Cup in 1976.

Alan Buckley is the club's most successful manager; he had three spells as team manager between 1988 and 2008, guiding the club to three promotions and two appearances at Wembley Stadium during the 1997–98 season winning both the Football League Trophy and the Football League Second Division Play-Off Final.

In 2008 Buckley took Grimsby to the capital again, but lost out to MK Dons in the final of the Football League Trophy.

The Mariners had also reached the Football League Two Play-Off final in 2006 at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, but lost the match 1–0 to Cheltenham Town.

Later trips to the Wembley in 2013 and 2016 saw them defeated in the FA Trophy final by Wrexham and FC Halifax Town respectively.

Grimsby managed to reach the Conference play-off final in both 2015 and 2016, after losing to Bristol Rovers they defeated Forest Green Rovers to earn promotion back to the Football League.

Initial relegation from back in 2010 made them the fourth club to compete in all top five divisions of English football (after Carlisle United, Oxford United, and Luton Town).

Team news

Aside from the long-term injuries, Kevin Nolan has no fresh worries ahead of Saturday's game and is likely to stick with the majority of the players that started in the draw with Luton.

Grimsby boss Russell Slade hopes to have James Berrett available - the midfielder was passed fit to face Forest Green last week but broke down in the warm-up.

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Head to head

Notts County and Luton Town have faced off 70 times in their history.

The first meeting came in January 1912 when the Magpies secured a 4-2 away win in the FA Cup.

Luton dominate the head-to-head with 35 wins over Notts, 20 draws and 15 defeats.

Out of the 11 matches between the two that have taken place since the turn of the century, Notts have won four, drawn four and lost four.

The Hatters have won just one of their last four League Two matches against Notts (D1 L2), failing to score in two of the previous three matches between the two sides.

The Magpies have lost two of their last eight matches against Luton at Kenilworth Road in the Football League (W3 D3).

Stats

Luton have scored 20 goals in their last five league matches at Kenilworth Road (W4 L1), conceding five - no side has won more home matches than Luton in League Two this season (8 - also Notts County).

Notts County have gone five away matches without a victory in League Two (D3 L2), having won four on the bounce prior to this run; The Magpies last went longer without an away victory in February last season (a run of seven consecutive away defeats).

No League Two side has scored more goals in the last 15 minutes of matches than Luton (13 - four more than the next best side - 9, Notts County).

History

Luton Town Football Club was formed on 11 April 1885, the product of a merger of the two leading local teams, Luton Town Wanderers and Excelsior.

The club was the first in southern England to turn professional, making payments to players as early as 1890 and turning fully professional a year later.

It joined the Football League before the 1897–98 season, left in 1900 because of financial problems, and rejoined in 1920.

Luton reached the First Division in 1955–56 and contested a major final for the first time when playing Nottingham Forest in the 1959 FA Cup Final.

The team was then relegated from the top division in 1959–60, and demoted twice more in the following five years, playing in the Fourth Division from the 1965–66 season. However, it was promoted back to the top level by 1974–75.

Luton Town's most recent successful period began in 1981–82, when the club won the Second Division and gained promotion to the First.

Luton defeated Arsenal 3–2 in the 1988 Football League Cup Final and remained in the First Division until relegation at the end of the 1991–92 season.

Between 2007 and 2009, financial difficulties caused the club to fall from the second tier of English football to the fifth in successive seasons.

The last of these relegations came during the 2008–09 season, when 30 points were docked from Luton's tally for various financial irregularities.

Luton then spent five seasons in non-League football before winning the Conference Premier in 2013–14, securing promotion back into the Football League.

The club's nickname, "the Hatters", reflects Luton's historical connection with the hat making trade, which has been prominent there since the 1600s.

The nickname was originally a variant on the now rarely seen straw-plaiters. Supporters of the club are also called Hatters.

Luton is associated with two very different colour schemes - white and black (first permanently adopted in 1920), and orange, navy and white (first used in 1973, and worn by the team as of the 2015–16 season).

Team News

James Collins could return for Luton in the top-of-the-table clash against Notts.The eight-goal striker has missed the last five games with a leg injury but has this week resumed training.

Harry Cornick is also close to returning after a hamstring problem.

Scott Cuthbert and Alan McCormack, however, remain on the sidelines for the Hatters.

Notts striker Shola Ameobi is a doubt for the trip to Kenilworth Road as he has been nursing a groin problem in recent weeks.

If Ameobi is fit he will play up front alongside Jon Stead, replacing Lewis Alessandra.

Few other changes are expected, though a possible change in midfield could see Robert Milsom come in for Elliott Hewitt.

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Oxford City play in the National League South division and sit 19th in the standings, above the bottom three on goal difference and with just four wins in their opening 18 league games.

They played their first recorded match in December 1883 and soon became the leading club in Oxfordshire, winning the FA Amateur Cup in 1906, before joining the Isthmian League the following year.

In the latter half of the 20th century, the club went into decline and soon fell behind Headington United after that club turned professional in 1949.

An attempt was made to return the club to success in 1979 when it became a limited company and later when England World Cup winner Bobby Moore was appointed manager with his former West Ham teammate Harry Redknapp as his assistant.

The club reached its lowest point in 1988 when they were evicted from their White House Ground by their landlords Brasenose College, who sold it off for housing.

Forced to resign from the Isthmian League, the club did not reform and return to senior football until 1990 when, based at Cutteslowe Park, they entered the South Midlands League Division One, winning promotion in their first season.

City returned to the Isthmian League in 1993 when they also moved to their current ground, which preceded an upturn in form up the divisions of that league as well as an FA Vase final appearance in which they lost 2-1 to Arlesley Town.

Highlights of the next decade included two years in the Isthmian League Premier Division and an epic FA Cup run in 1999–2000 which culminated in a three-game battle against Wycombe Wanderers in the First Round proper, eventually being edged out 1–0 at Oxford United's Manor Ground.

The first replay had been abandoned due to a fire alarm just as the penalty shootout was about to start; this remains the only FA Cup tie to go to a second replay since the FA ruled that all ties should be settled after a maximum of two games.

City are an FA Charter Standard Community Club and field more than 37 teams, with sides for men, women, boys and girls.

Defender Freddie Grant is the nephew of former Notts boss Martin Allen and trained with the Magpies at the age of just 15, as well as being a friend of Jorge Grant (but no relation despite the same surname).

Saturday's game will be the first time that Oxford will have had names on the back of their shirts. While not a requirement at their current league level, it is in the second round of the competition which will be broadcast live on BT Sport.

Team news

Jon Stead and Shola Ameobi are doubtful for the game with leg and groin injuries respectively, while Callum Saunders has been suffering with flu in the build-up.

Adam Collin and Michael O'Connor remain sidelined by long-term injuries but manager Kevin Nolan has an otherwise fully-fit squad to choose from.

Oxford City captain Lee Henderson has not played since hobbling off with a dead calf during the victory over Chelmsford City in Vanarama National League South three weeks ago and is a doubt for the game.

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Notts County have met Colchester United 43 times over the years, all league encounters except for one Sherpa Vans Trophy tie in 1988.

The Magpies are in front when it comes to head-to-head, having won 21 games to Colchester's 15, with seven draws.

The first fixture between Notts and Colchester took place on 23 February 1959 at Layer Road, a Division Three clash which finished 4-1 to the U's.

The last fixture was last season on 1 April, the Magpies winning 3-1 at Meadow Lane.

All league encounters between the two have never taken place higher than the third tier.

History

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

Notts County are assessing Jon Stead ahead of Saturday's game after suffering a dead leg in the draw with Yeovil in midweek.

Magpies manager Kevin Nolan fears that the game at Meadow Lane could come too quickly for the veteran striker to be involved.

Jonathan Forte, who replaced Stead at Huish Park and scored the opening goal, took a hit to the face at Huish Park but he is expected to be alright to play.

Shola Ameobi was rested against Yeovil but he will return to contention for the weekend when Notts look to protect their unbeaten league record at Meadow Lane this season.

In-form Colchester will check on the fitness of winger Doug Loft ahead of the trip to Meadow Lane.

Loft was recalled to the side for the midweek win over Lincoln but was forced off late in the first half because of a shoulder problem.

Midfielder Sean Murray is stepping up his recovery following knee surgery along with forward Kurtis Guthrie, who has been sidelined by long-term ankle trouble.

Winger Brennan Dickenson, club captain Luke Prosser and midfielder Courtney Senior are all working their way back from respective knee problems.

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Notts County and Yeovil Town have met 15 times over the years.

The first game took place at Meadow Lane on 4 November 1961, with the Magpies beating their opponents 4-2 in the FA Cup.

That was the only meeting of the two pre-21st century - the 14 meetings following that game all took place between 2004 and this year.

The last game was a League Two encounter at Meadow Lane last February, a goalless draw.

Yeovil have the upper edge in the head-to-head with seven wins, five defeats and three draws against Notts.

Yeovil Football Club was founded in 1890, and shared their ground with the local rugby club for many years.

Five years later they were renamed Yeovil Casuals and started playing home games at the Pen Mill Athletic Ground.

In 1907 the name Yeovil Town was adopted, which on amalgamation with Petters United became Yeovil and Petters United. The name reverted to Yeovil Town prior to the 1946–47 season.

The Somerset outfit have spent most of their existence in the lower leagues, though they briefly made a name for themselves in the 1948-49 season when they beat Sunderland 2-1 in the FA Cup fourth round.

In the 1980s, Yeovil were founder members of the Football Conference, where they remained for the next two decades, save for a few relegations to the Isthmian League which usually resulted in an instant return to the above tier.

Yeovil Town earned promotion to the Football League in the 2002-03 season, by winning the Football Conference by a record 17 points margin, accumulating 95 points and scoring 100 goals, remaining unbeaten at Huish Park.

In their second ever season in the Football League, the Glovers went one better by achieving promotion to the third tier as champions of League Two.

Then, in the following years even reached the League One playoffs, beating Nottingham Forest in the semi-finals in 2006-07 before losing to Blackpool in the final at Wembley.

Six years later, however, Yeovil achieved what had been deemed unthinkable a decade earlier - they reached the second tier of English football after beating Brentford in the 2013 League One play-off final.

Their stay in the Championship was brief, however, and they went on to suffer back-to-back relegations, leaving them in the bottom tier of the Football League where they still ply their trade.

Team news

Yeovil are expected to welcome back strikers Olufela Olomola and Francois Zoko when Notts visit Huish Park on Tuesday night.

The two forwards sat out the 2-1 defeat to Swindon Town on Saturday through suspension but are eligible to return against the Magpies.

However, defender Bevis Mugabi will be missing again as he serves the second part of a three-game ban.

Defender Ryan Dickson, who has been missing for nearly a month with concussion, will be assessed but could feature.

Notts will have Elliott Hewitt available again after serving a one-game suspension at the weekend due to his fifth booking of the campaign.

Kevin Nolan, however, will have to decide whether to drop Rob Milsom, who was impressive as the Magpies beat Cheltenham Town 3-1 on Saturday.

Goalkeeper Adam Collin remains sidelined with a knee injury so Ross Fitzsimons is expected to continue in goal.

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Notts County and Cheltenham Town have met just 10 times over the years.

The first meeting came in Division 2 on 28 September 2002 at Whaddon Road, and Notts comfortably won 4-1.

Notts are ahead in the head-to-head with 6 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses.

The Magpies have won each of their last three league games against Cheltenham, scoring 10 whilst conceding three.

The Robins have only beaten Notts County once at Meadow Lane in the Football League, a 3-2 win in November 2005.

Cheltenham Town were founded in 1887 by Albert Close White, a local teacher.

However, the town has prior football history - in 1849, the first use of three official referees in a match, two in field and one in tribune, was recorded in Cheltenham.

Promoted to The Football League as Conference Premier champions in 1999, Cheltenham have played as high as League One, the third tier of English football, spending a total of four seasons there.

Their best FA Cup run saw them reach the last 16 (fifth round) in 2002.

The last piece of silverware won by the club was the National League title in 2015–2016.

Its league status was lost with relegation in 2015, only for the team to return, as runaway champions, a year later.

Two former Notts managers, Steve Cotterill and Martin Allen, have also done time at the Gloucestershire club.

Team news

Elliott Hewitt is suspended after collecting his fifth booking of the season in the 1-1 draw at Stevenage, where he also scored the Magpies' equaliser.

Rob Milsom, Liam Walker and Curtis Thompson are all possible replacements.

Adam Collin remains sidelined for at least another five weeks after suffering a knee injury against Barnet last month so Ross Fitzsimons is expected to continue deputising in goal.

Bristol City loanee Joe Morrell will return to the Cheltenham starting line-up after missing the last two matches due to international duty.

Morrell was selected for the Wales Under-21s squad but missed the Bosnia and Herzegovina game with illness and was an unused substitute for the Romania clash four days later.

Midfielder Kevin Dawson serves the second of his three-match suspension for his red card in the FA Cup first round defeat against Maidstone earlier this month.

Jordan Cranston has been ruled out for the rest of the season after tearing his hamstring in the 2-2 home draw with Luton and will undergo surgery next week.

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Notts County and Stevenage have only ever met 11 times, the first meeting coming on 17 September 2011 at Broadhall Way (known as the Lamex Stadium) - the result on that day was 2-0 to the Magpies.

Our last meeting was on 4 March last season, and it proved a humbling day as Stevenage claimed a 3-0 win at Broadhall Way.

Our head-to-head record is five wins for Notts, five for Stevenage, and one draw. On a knife's edge then.

Stevenage in their current form have only been in existence since 1976, but there have been numerous incarnations of the club that stretch back over a century.

A club called Stevenage FC was formed in 1894, but they soon adopted the name Stevenage Town.

In 1951 the club were founder members of the Delphian League. In 1956 they merged with Stevenage Rangers to form Stevenage FC, before reverting to Stevenage Town four years later.

They had some success in the Southern League but folded in 1967, after which Stevenage Athletic were created in their place a year later. This incarnation again knocked about in the Southern League but went bankrupt in 1976.

Stevenage Borough, formed shortly after Athletic's demise, managed to prosper and work their way up the leagues until finally reaching the Football League in 2010, at which point they took the whole thing full circle by dropping the Borough from their name and becoming Stevenage FC.

Despite their relatively short history, Stevenage have won a number of trophies and competitions, including two FA Trophy cups in 2007 and 2009.

Broadhall Way holds 6,722 people, 3,142 of which can be seated. To put it into perspective, three full houses at Stevenage could fit into the Meadow Lane stands with 45 seats to spare.

The highest attendance recorded at the stadium was 8,040 for a match against Newcastle United in the FA Cup fourth round on 25 January 1998.

On that day a temporary stand was erected behind the away end to increase the stadium capacity to 8,100, enough to satisfy FA requirements.

Two films were set in and around Stevenage: "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush" and "Boston Kickout".

"Spy Game", meanwhile, was partly filmed in Stevenage but set in Washington DC.

A number of famous sporting figures were born in Stevenage, the most notable of which are Lewis Hamilton, Jack Wilshere, Ashley Young, Ian Poulter, Kevin Phillips and Jason Shackell.

Team news

Joe Fryer, Jack King and Jonathan Smith all missed training on Thursday and are likely to face fitness tests.

Defender Kevin Toner is suspended following his sending off at Yeovil Town, while forward Ben Kennedy is out following knee surgery.

Adam Collin remains sidelined so Ross Fitzsimons is likely to continue in goal behind Nolan's preferred back four of Matt Tootle, Richard Duffy, Shaun Brisley and Carl Dickinson.

Jon Stead and Shola Ameobi will probably start up front while Terry Hawkridge, Ryan Yates, Elliott Hewitt and Jorge Grant are the likeliest midfield four.

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Notts County and Bristol Rovers have met a grand total of 87 times over their history.

The first fixture came on the 11th January 1913, a 2-0 win for the Pirates in the FA Cup at their former home ground, the Eastville Stadium.

The Magpies have claimed 31 wins and 29 draws against Rovers, whilst falling to 27 defeats.

Our last meeting was in League Two on 5 March 2016 at Meadow Lane, the visitors winning 2-0.

Bristol Rovers was founded in 1883 as Black Arabs F.C., and were also known as Eastville Rovers and Bristol Eastville Rovers before finally changing its name to Bristol Rovers in 1899.

The club's official nickname is The Pirates, reflecting the maritime history of Bristol. The local nickname of the club is The Gas, from the gasworks next to their former home Eastville Stadium, which started as a derogatory term used by fans of their main rival Bristol City but was affectionately adopted by the team.

Rovers were admitted to the Football League in 1920 and have played there ever since, apart from spending the 2014–15 season in the Conference Premier.

They previously came close to losing their league status in 1939, when they were re-elected after finishing bottom of Division Three (South), and in 2002 when the team finished one league position away from relegation to the Football Conference.

Their highest finishing positions were in 1956 and 1959, on both occasions ending the season in 6th place in Division Two, then the second tier of English football.

The only major cup competition won by Bristol Rovers is the 1972 Watney Cup, when they beat Sheffield United in the final. The club also won the Division Three (South) Cup in 1934–35, as well as winning or sharing the Gloucestershire Cup on 32 occasions.

The team has never played in European competition; the closest Rovers came was when they missed out on reaching the international stage of the Anglo-Italian Cup in the 1992–93 season on a coin toss held over the phone with West Ham United.

In the FA Cup, Rovers have reached the quarter-final stage on three occasions. The first time was in 1950–51 when they faced Newcastle United at St James' Park in front of a crowd of 62,787, the record for the highest attendance at any Bristol Rovers match.

The second time they reached the quarter final was in 1957–58, when they lost to Fulham, and the most recent appearance at this stage of the competition was during the 2007–08 season, when they faced West Bromwich Albion.

They were the first Division Three team to win an FA Cup tie away to a Premier League side, when in 2002 they beat Derby County 3–1 at Pride Park Stadium.

They have twice reached the final of the Football League Trophy, in 1989–90 and 2006–07, but finished runners-up on both occasions.

On the second occasion they did not allow a single goal against them in the competition en route to the final, but conceded the lead less than a minute after the final kicked off.

Actor Nick Frost is a Bristol Rovers fan, with his character Danny Butterman seen wearing a club shirt in the 2007 film Hot Fuzz.

The retired Conservative MP for Hayes and Harlington Terry Dicks, is also a Gas fan. He mentioned the club in parliament on 5 May 1994 when debating with Labour MP and Chelsea fan Tony Banks.

Team news

Kevin Nolan is not believed to have any fresh injury worries since the win over Newport but has not given any indication as to whether he will ring the changes in Friday's FA Cup first-round encounter.

Rovers top goalscorer Billy Bodin has been missing since injuring his hamstring in the win over Northampton Town four weeks ago, while defender James Clarke is out until the new year after a leg operation.

Darrell Clarke spoke of other players nursing knocks and, having rested a number of his charges in the midweek EFL Trophy game with West Ham, is expected to return to a stronger line-up.

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