Notts County and Newport County have met a total of 48 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 25 wins, 9 draws and 14 defeats.

The last meeting was 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.

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

Adam Collin has been sidelined for between two to three months with ligament damage so Ross Fitzsimons is likely to retain his place in Notts County's goal, with Branislav Pindroch also an option.

Kevin Nolan made widescale changes in the EFL Trophy loss to Mansfield Town and is likely to restore most of the players who turned out at Carlisle United last week back to the starting XI.

Joss Labadie and Calum Jahraldo-Martin are both out with hamstring injuries for the Exiles, but midfielder Robbie Willmott is available after recovering from a knee problem.

Paul Hayes, who signed for the Exiles after a chat with Newport boss Mike Flynn on LinkedIn, is not expected to be involved as he looks to return to match fitness.

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Carlisle United and Notts County have met 32 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 3 draws.

Our last meeting was on 8 April this year in League Two, a 2-1 win at Brunton Park.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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

Carlisle have defender Danny Grainger back from a one-match suspension.

Steven Rigg came off the bench in the 3-3 draw against Wycombe on Tuesday night and will be eyeing his second full debut after re-signing for the club last week.

Jason Kennedy is also pushing to start after returning from fitness problems but midfielder Kelvin Etuhu remains a doubt.

Striker Shaun Miller has been hit with a two-match ban after being retrospectively punished for diving - the first player in England to suffer this fate.

Ross Fitzsimons is expected to remain in goal for Notts with Adam Collin still ruled out.

Fitzsimons made his first league start in midweek after Collin suffered a knee injury against Barnet and the problem is still being assessed.

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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.

Despite our shared history going back so far, there have only been 43 meetings between the two sides.

Notts have the upper hand with 21 wins to 13 defeats, and 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, 1970 brought a 5-1 victory, while in 2013, a 4-0 scoreline at Meadow Lane brought some light to a gloomy first half of the campaign.

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.

The town of Crewe has an interesting roll call of local legends, including rugby player Mark Cueto, professional BMX racer Shanaze Reade, 1990s heartthrob Adam Rickitt, Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle, and Jimmy MacDonald, also known as the voice of Mickey Mouse.

Team news

Crewe striker Chris Dagnall has been struggling with a knock but is expected to be fully fit for Tuesday's game against Notts at Gresty Road.

The visitors, meanwhile, will be without goalkeeper Adam Collin after he was forced off in Saturday's win over Barnet.

Collin required treatment after injuring his knee in an aerial collision in the first half and though he initially played on, he succumbed just before the hour mark.

Ross Fitzsimons took his place and is now in line for a first league start, with manager Kevin Nolan hopeful Collin will be available to face Carlisle United on Saturday.

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Notts County and Barnet have met 17 times over the years.

The head to head stands at 9 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 3.

The last fixture took place in March this year, Notts winning 1-0 at Meadow Lane.

 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

Shola Ameobi is fit again for Notts and is in contention for a return to the starting line-up.

The likes of Lewis Alessandra, Elliott Hewitt, Haydn Hollis and Nicky Hunt could also be considered by Kevin Nolan.

Midfielder Liam Walker is available again after missing the home draw with Forest Green while on international duty with Gibraltar.

Dan Jones has been struggling with a hamstring injury in recent weeks, missing the last three matches, and Nolan will hope to have the left-back back in contention again soon.

Barnet top-scorer Shaq Coulthirst will be assessed ahead of the trip to Meadow Lane.

The forward, who has six league goals, has been struggling with a hamstring problem and missed last weekend's goalless draw with Coventry.

Bees boss Rossi Eames has no fresh injury concerns but remains without a host of key players.

Goalkeeper Jamie Stephens, left-back Elliott Johnson, midfielder Curtis Weston and forward Dave Tarpey remain out, along with defender Richard Brindley and striker John Akinde.

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Notts County and Forest Green have literally only met the once, in the third round of the FA Cup on 19 January 2010, and it ended in a 2-1 win for the Magpies at Meadow Lane.

Stephen Hunt opened the scoring for the hosts in the 50th minute and, although Isaiah Rankin drew level on 63 minutes, Lee Hughes grabbed the winner one minute later.

Tomorrow thus marks the first ever league meeting between the two.

Forest Green Rovers were founded in October 1889 by Reverend E. J. H. Peach, the local Nonconformist church minister, representing the Forest Green area of Nailsworth in Gloucestershire.

The name Rovers was adopted in 1893, and the following year the club were founder members of the Mid-Gloucestershire League, the first association football league in the county outside Bristol.

After the league folded in 1902, Forest Green become members of the newly formed Stroud League and also members of the Dursley and District League which they won in 1903, the club's first silverware.

After a break for the First World War, Rovers enjoyed a period of great success winning two football leagues and three cups in both 1921 and 1922.

They then joined the newly formed Gloucestershire Northern Senior League with Cheltenham Town among others in 1922.

Rovers joined the newly formed County League in 1968 and played under manager Peter Goring for the next 11 years, moving up again to the Hellenic League in 1975 under his stewardship.

In 1982, Rovers achieved fame at Wembley winning the FA Vase 3-1 and at the same time winning the Hellenic League and moving into the Southern League Midland Division.

Seven years later a struggling Rovers outfit was renamed Stroud FC but this alienated a lot of people connected with the club, until the arrival of Trevor Horsley in 1992 saw the name changed back to Forest Green Rovers.

After finishing eighth in the Southern Division under Frank Gregan in 1995–96, they won the division the following season, earning promotion to the Premier Division of the Southern League.

The 1997–98 season then saw FGR them win the Southern League Premier Division, securing a second successive promotion and entry to the Football Conference.

FGR finished in the relegation zone in 2005 and 2010, but both times were handed a reprieve when Northwich Victoria and then Salisbury City were demoted for non-footballing reasons.

The club was then taken over by Ecotricity owner Dale Vince, at which point the team improved until finally sealing promotion into the Football League last season.

Notts legend Lee Hughes spent the 2014-15 season at Forest Green, scoring 15 goals in 42 games. At present, ex-Magpies midfielder Liam Noble, ex-loanee Drissa Traore  and former manager Mark Cooper ply their trade there.

Team news

Shola Ameobi is back in contention for Notts County after his return in the defeat at Mansfield Town.

The veteran striker had been sidelined for three weeks with a hamstring injury but played 20 minutes of the 3-1 loss at Field Mill.

Dan Jones is still struggling with a hamstring injury having missed the Magpies' last two games.

Aside from the defender, boss Kevin Nolan now has a fully-fit squad as they top League Two on goal difference.

Forest Green boss Mark Cooper has no new injury or suspension worries following his side's midweek EFL Trophy win against local rivals Cheltenham.

Defender Manny Monthe remains sidelined after fracturing a cheekbone in training last week and midfielder Liam Noble is also unavailable due to "a medical matter".

Cooper made just two changes on Tuesday night as defender Lee Collins and striker Omar Bugiel missed out and both players could return to the starting line-up.

Bugiel turned down an international call-up from Lebanon to stay and play for his club instead of his country's Asian Cup qualifier against North Korea in Beirut on October 10.

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Notts County and Mansfield Town have met 49 times over the years.

The first fixture between the two was in October 1937, a 2-0 win for the Magpies in Division Three (South).

Notts only just have the upper hand with 18 wins, 17 defeats, and 14 draws.

Between 1989 and 2001, the two sides met six times – and Notts won each time.

County's record over the last 10 meetings, however, is poor, standing at two wins, four defeats, and four draws.

This record is embellished by the fact Notts have beaten Mansfield twice in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in the last two years.

In reality, the Magpies haven't got a league win over the Stags since August 2005.

The Stags were formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans, changing their name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910.

Mansfield won the Football League Trophy in 1987, in their first game at Wembley Stadium. After a 1–1 draw with Bristol City, they won the cup 5–4 in the deciding penalty shootout, thanks to Kevin Hitchcock saving two penalties.

That remains the only cup win in their history, though they did win the Division Four title in 1974-75, Division Three two seasons later, and the Conference in 2012-13.

Famous people from Mansfield include Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington, media presenter Richard Bacon, FA Cup-winning goalkeeper Steve Ogrizovic and award-winning fashion designer Elspeth Gibson.

Team news

Hayden White could return to the Mansfield squad for their derby clash with League Two leaders Notts County at the One Call Stadium.

The right-back missed the midweek defeat at Cheltenham with a groin problem but he is expected to be back in contention if he comes through a full training session on Friday.

However, captain Zander Diamond (groin) and midfielder Joel Byrom (foot) will not recover in time to be involved.

Stags boss Steve Evans has the likes of Calum Butcher, Alfie Potter, Alex MacDonald and Kane Hemmings to call on should he feel the need to make changes.

Notts County manager Kevin Nolan also has a squad blessed with strength and depth and he might make changes despite the impressive 3-0 win at second-placed Exeter City last time out.

On-loan Nottingham Forest midfielder Jorge Grant has strong claims for a recall after two goals from the bench on Tuesday night.

Matt Tootle and Jonathan Forte are also options for Nolan while left-back Dan Jones could be fit again after a hamstring injury.

However, Shola Ameobi's hamstring problem may not heal in time for him to play any part.

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Notts County and Exeter City have met a total of 44 times over their history.

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

The Magpies have an excellent record against the Grecians; out of those 43 games, Notts claimed a result in 36, with 17 wins and 19 draws.

Our recent form (last five) is not too bad, with two wins, two draws and one defeat.

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

Exeter captain Jordan Moore-Taylor could miss the game with Notts as he went off following a heavy challenge in the 2-0 defeat at Coventry on Saturday, the Grecians' first defeat of the season.

Troy Archibald-Henville and Dean Moxey will compete for a starting spot if Moore-Taylor fails to recover in time.

Jayden Stockley is pushing for his first start since rejoining Exeter from Aberdeen last month.

Notts might be without Dan Jones as the left-back had to come off with a hamstring injury at half-time during the 4-1 home win against Lincoln on Saturday.

Shola Ameobi's hamstring injury is not as serious as initially feared and the striker, who has missed the last three matches, should not be out much longer.

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Notts County and Lincoln City have met a total of 65 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 34 wins for Notts, 15 defeats, and 16 draws.

The last game between the two took place on 13 April 2010, a 3-1 win at Meadow Lane with goals from Lee Hughes, Graeme Lee and Delroy Facey and a strike from Steven Lennon for the opposition.

Notts have won the last two meetings, with a draw prior to those and three defeats preceding that.

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

Shaun Brisley limped off during Notts County's win over Crawley Town and is set to be out for around two weeks.

In terms of replacements, Elliott Hewitt came on for Brisley at Broadfield Stadium while Haydn Hollis is another who could deputise.

Winger Terry Hawkridge is set to be fit to face his former club after he was left on the bench against Crawley due to illness.

Shola Ameobi's hamstring injury is not a serious one and the striker, who has missed two matches, should not be out much longer.

Lincoln boss Danny Cowley must decide whether now is the right time to recall captain Luke Waterfall.

The defender has been unable to get in the team recently but he has been training well, according to Cowley, and last weekend's home defeat to Mansfield may open the door for his return.

Sean Long was back on the bench against the Stags after injury and the full-back will also be looking to reclaim his starting spot.

Midfielder Josh Ginnelly is fit again and pushing for a place in Cowley's line-up as the Imps boss considers making one or two changes following only a second league loss of the season.

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Notts County have only ever played Crawley Town 10 times in their history.

The first fixture between the two was just under five years ago, on 10 November 2012.

This milestone first meeting between the two, played at Meadow Lane, finished 1-1.

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

The record stands at six Notts wins, two defeats and two draws.

Our recent record against them is very good, the Magpies winning the last four encounters (all in League Two) and six of the last seven.

The last fixture took place on 28 January this year at Meadow Lane, a 2-1 win with Thierry Audel and Jonathan Forte grabbing the goals for us.

Crawley Town have been a non-league side for the majority of their history – last decade, while 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

Crawley boss Harry Kewell has no new injury worries ahead of tomorrow's game.

Striker Thomas Verheydt, who has not featured since the end of last month, is the only unavailable player due to a knee injury.

Midfielder Jordan Roberts is fit to play after missing the last two games because of a minor injury.

On-loan Cardiff forward Ibrahim Meite will hope to retain his place in attack after scoring his first senior goal in the midweek draw at Stevenage.

Shola Ameobi is a significant absentee for Notts County's trip, as he had to go off with a hamstring injury in the first half of the Magpies' victory over Morecambe last weekend.

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Notts County have met Swindon Town on 63 occasions, the first time being 103 years ago in the FA Cup. On that day in January 1911, the Robins beat the Magpies 2-0 at the County Ground.

Of the 63 clashes, 24 have been won by Notts, 27 by Swindon, and 12 have been drawn.

The last meeting between the two was on 7 March 2015, away at the County Ground, and the Robins ran out 3-0 winners.

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.

Pint-sized jazz singer Jamie Cullum is also a fan of the Robins.

Team news

Shola Ameobi will miss Notts County's home game against Swindon after picking up a hamstring injury that forced him off after 41 minutes of Saturday's 2-0 victory over Morecambe.

Jonathan Forte came on for Ameobi at the weekend and he is expected to make his first league start of the season after scoring his side's second goal against the Shrimps.

Notts boss Kevin Nolan has an otherwise fully-fit squad to choose from as he looks to extend his side's unbeaten run to eight matches.

Swindon manager David Flitcroft could name an unchanged starting line-up following a 3-0 away win over Luton Town on Saturday.

John Goddard and Kyle Knoyle remain absent through injury, although the latter is expected to resume full training this week.

Donal McDermott will serve the second game of the three-match ban he received for his red card against Barnet earlier this month.

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Notts County and Morecambe have met just 10 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 considerably ahead in the head-to-head, with Notts having lost to them five times, beaten them twice, and drawn thrice.

This fixture has yielded a scoreline of 4-1 three times already - once in our favour and twice in Morecambe's (including our last meeting with them, last season at Meadow Lane). Worth a punt for a 4-1 home win tomorrow?

The fixture on 19 September 2009 was former Arsenal and England legend Sol Campbell's only game in a Magpies shirt, while the rematch later in the season, on 17 April 2010, is when Notts mathematically secured promotion to League One.

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

Matt Tootle is back from suspension after serving a one-match ban as Notts County look to stretch their unbeaten run to five in League Two (six in all competitions).

Rob Milsom, Jonathan Forte and Lewis Alessandra, who scored the winning goal at Port Vale, will be pushing for starting places.

Shaun Brisley was taken off at Vale Park folowing a blow to the head but Magpies boss Kevin Nolan is hoping he will be able to slot back into the starting XI alongside centre-back partner Richard Duffy.

Morecambe striker - and former Notts loanee - Vadaine Oliver begins a three-match ban for his straight red card against Accrington Stanley.

Kevin Ellison is likely to take the summer signing's place after he came off the bench to open his account for the season in the 2-1 defeat.

Season-long loan signing Callum Lang could make his first start for the Shrimps after a substitute appearance.

Alex Kenyon, currently sidelined through injury, looks unlikely to be back for the game.

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Notts County have met Port Vale a grand total of 101 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 45 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).

Last time these two played, at Meadow Lane in League One in February 2015, Vale won 1-0.

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. Robbie Williams is known to be a huge fan, to the point that he held £240,000 worth of shares in the club and has a restaurant at Vale Park named after him.

For the videogame FIFA 2000, he provided an original theme song called It's Only Us, on the condition that Port Vale should be included in the game, which they were, located in the Rest of World section (back in the days when the smaller teams weren't included).

Also, in 2005, Williams founded Los Angeles Vale FC, a Super Metro League team in the United States, named after Port Vale and based at his Los Angeles home.

Darts star Phil “The Power” Taylor is also a big fan, while Blue (that Noughties boy-band) singer Simon Webbe was part of their youth setup until a ligament injury hampered any prospect of a career in football.

Team news

Port Vale will be without veteran midfielder Michael Tonge through suspension for the visit of Notts as he is serving a three-match ban for his sending off in last weekend's home loss to Crewe.

Goalkeeper Rob Lainton is hoping to return after four games out with a thigh injury but defender Tyrone Barnett (hamstring) is not yet fit despite making good progress.

Striker Rekeil Pyke (hamstring) will also be assessed while forward Anton Forrester (thigh) and midfielder Danny Pugh (knee) are longer-term absentees.

Notts will be without the suspended Matt Tootle after defender was sent off late on in the 2-2 home draw with Accrington Stanley, and he will serve a one-match ban at Vale Park.

Magpies manager Kevin Nolan will probably choose between Carl Dickinson and Nicky Hunt to replace Tootle at full-back.

Striker Jonathan Forte continues to push for a starting place after impressing from the bench in recent matches.

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Notts County have played the current incarnation of Accrington Stanley just 15 times in their history, with the record standing at 6 Notts wins, 5 defeats, and 4 draws.

The first fixtures against the "new Stanley" were in August and December 1958, when both sides played in Division Three. The Magpies drew 1-1 in the first match, before losing 3-0 in the second.

A hiatus of 48 years followed before the teams met again in the fourth tier, now League Two, on 9 September 2006. The result was a 3-2 win to Notts.

The last fixture was last season at the Crown Ground, a League Two encounter which saw the hosts win 2-0.

Our recent record against Stanley is not very good, with 4 defeats and 2 draws in the last 6.

The original town's team, Accrington, were amongst the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888, before resigning from the league after just five years.

A team called Stanley Villa already existed at the time, named as such because they were based at the Stanley Arms on Stanley Street in Accrington.

With the demise of Accrington, Stanley Villa took the town name to become Accrington Stanley.

The club re-formed after World War I and entered the League in 1921 with the formation of the old Third Division North, along with the other top northern non-League clubs.

This original incarnation was dissolved in 1966, before re-emerging two years later. In 2005–06, Stanley won the Football Conference and were promoted to League Two.

Ironically, Oxford United, the team they switched places with, was the team that had been elected to replace the former Accrington Stanley as members of the Football League in 1962 when they were struggling with debt.

Accrington Stanley is perhaps most well known for being mentioned pejoratively by two young boys talking about their professional football prospects in a late 1980s advert by the Milk Marketing Board.

Famous people from Accrington include Vicky Entwhistle and Julie Hesmondhalgh from Coronation Street, Yes singer Jon Anderson, cricketer Mike Atherton, Diana Vickers from The X Factor, and Mystic Meg.

Team news

Notts manager Kevin Nolan has no new injury problems as he looks to maintain his side's momentum following three consecutive wins in all competitions.

Club captain Michael O'Connor remains the only absentee as he continues to recover from knee surgery.

Accrington could hand a debut to forward Mallik Wilks after he arrived on loan from Leeds United on Thursday.

The 18-year-old will bolster John Coleman's attacking options, although Stanley are also short in defence after the sale of centre-back Omar Beckles to Shrewsbury Town.

Tom Dallison - who scored in the midweek Carabao Cup defeat to West Bromwich Albion - is out with a calf injury.

Dallison's fellow Brighton loanee Tyler Forbes is struggling to shake off the knee complaint that ruled him out against the Premier League side.

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Notts County and Wycombe Wanderers have faced each other a total of 34 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 16 times and drawn nine – we have beaten them nine times.

The last meeting, however, was won by the Magpies, a 1-0 win in March this year sealed by Shola Ameobi's 27th-minute strike.

In 1887, a meeting held at the Steam Engine public house in Station Road, High Wycombe saw the formation of Wycombe Wanderers FC.

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 before claiming a 2–1 victory.

Team news

Wycombe are expected to hand a debut to new signing Craig Mackail-Smith against Notts County at Adams Park this weekend.

The veteran Scotland international joined the Chairboys on Thursday having been a free agent after being released by Luton Town.

Mackail-Smith could come straight in to lead Gareth Ainsworth's attack after Paris Cowan-Hall was forced off early on in the 3-2 win at Port Vale last time out.

Paul Hayes and Dayle Southwell are other attacking options for Ainsworth.

There are likely to be several changes to the Notts team following the Checkatrade Trophy tie in midweek.

Magpies manager Kevin Nolan made nine changes against Everton, with only Elliott Hewitt and Lewis Alessandra keeping their places from the team that started the league win over Chesterfield.

Long-term absentee Michael O'Connor is the only player unavailable to Nolan as he seeks a third straight victory in all competitions.

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Notts County have played Chesterfield a total of 66 times over the years, the first meeting coming on the 29th November 1930 in the FA Cup.

The game took place at the Spireites' old ground, Saltergate, and finished 2-1 to the Magpies.

The head-to-head record favours Notts, with 27 victories, 20 defeats and 19 draws.

The last time the two teams met was on 7 February 2015 in League One, the outcome a 1-0 win to Chesterfield at Meadow Lane.

Nobody knows the date when the first incarnation of Chesterfield Football Club was formed. A Derbyshire Times newspaper report from 2 January 1864 noted a scheduled game between "Chesterfield and Norton football clubs", suggesting that a club in the town was active from at least 1863.

By contrast, club historian Stuart Basson had placed a formally constituted Chesterfield F.C. as being established as an offshoot of Chesterfield Cricket Club in October 1867.

The early history of the club is dotted with tumult and instability - the club lost the right to play at Saltergate following worsening relations with Chesterfield Cricket Club, while in 1915 the subsequent incarnation of the club, Chesterfield Town, was put into voluntary liquidation.

To fill the footballing gap left in the town, Chesterfield Borough Council reformed the club on 24 April 1919, giving it the name Chesterfield Municipal F.C.

After the Football Association and Football League made it clear that they were against a council-run club, the entity became independent, reflected in the name change to Chesterfield F.C. in December 1920.

The club have been successful in terms of minor silverware, winning the Fourth Division (and its subsequent reincarnations) a record four times, while also claimin the Anglo-Scottish Cup in 1982 and the Football League Trophy in 2012 (and finishing runners-up in 2014).

The 1996–97 season saw Chesterfield beat six clubs including Nottingham Forest to reach the semi-final of the FA Cup for the first time. The semi-final match against Middlesbrough was drawn 3–3 after extra time; Chesterfield lost the replay 3–0.

The club's nickname, The Spireites, comes from the Church of St Mary and All Saints in Chesterfield, famous for its crooked spire.

Famous Chesterfield players include Ernie Moss, Kevin Davies, Gary Stone, Jason Lee, Walter McMillen, Sam Hardy, Gordon Banks, Herbert Munday, Steve Ogrizovic, Barry Sunday, Freeman Hardy and Willis Edwards.

Famous fans include glamour model Jo Guest, presenter Robert Primrose Wilson, and ex-Arsenal goalkeeper John Lukic.

Team news

Kevin Nolan has no fresh injury worries ahead of Notts County's meeting with Chesterfield, but has spoken of the selection dilemma facing him.

Following a disappointing display in the 3-0 defeat at Coventry City, Nolan made eight changes against Scunthorpe United in the League Cup, with the replacement players putting in a much improved display.

Jonathan Forte, in particular, impressed and could put pressure on Jon Stead and Shola Ameobi ahead of Nolan picking his strike force for Saturday's League Two game.

Chesterfield captain Ian Evatt returns for the Spireites after missing the 4-1 cup defeat at Sheffield Wednesday through suspension.

Fellow defender Jordan Sinnott will be monitored after he picked up a thigh injury in last week's league opener against Grimsby Town, which also finished in defeat.

Robbie Weir and Charlie Wakefield are options to return to the side after being on the bench at Hillsborough in midweek.

Jerome Binnom-Williams (ankle) and Joe Rowley (shoulder) remain unavailable with injuries suffered in pre-season.

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Notts County against Scunthorpe United is a relatively new fixture in English football - the first time these two faced off was on the 4th January 1969 in the old Division Four.

On that day, goals by George Kerr and Nigel Cassidy gave the Iron a 2-1 victory - Richie Barker netted the consolation for the Magpies.

Since then, the two sides have played 27 further games, and the record is firmly in the Magpies' favour, winning 18, drawing 4 and losing just 6.

The last fixture took place on 9 August 2016, also in the first round of the League Cup, also at Glanford Park, and it finished 2-0 to the Iron.

Scunthorpe United were formed in 1899 - in 1910 they merged with local rivals Lindsey United to become Scunthorpe & Lindsey United, and joined the Midland Football League in 1912.

In 1950 the club was accepted into the Football League, ahead of Workington and Wigan Athletic, when the league structure was expanded, with the "Lindsey" part of the name being dropped shortly after.

Ever since the club entered the league their nickname has been ‘The Iron’, a metal which has long played a role in the team’s nomenclature. Before 1950s Scunthorpe United were known as the Knuts.

The origin is uncertain but it is generally accepted as being when they won one of the local charity cups. The vicar of Frodingham, the Rev Cryspant Rust, said “that indeed Scunthorpe and Lindsey United were a tough (k)nut to beat”.

For a small club, the Iron have an impressive roll call of former players and managers. The most notable is Kevin Keegan, one of England's greatest ever footballers, who played for Scunny between 1966 and 1971.

Other alumni, either in a playing or managing capacity, include Ray Clemence, cricketer Ian Botham, Ian Storey-Moore, Neil Warnock, Jermaine Beckford, Billy Sharp, Andy Keogh, and former Leicester City manager Nigel Adkins, who used to be the club's physiotherapist.

Team news

Scunthorpe United manager Graham Alexander has confirmed that former Notts County man Neal Bishop will not play as he is suffering from a dead leg.

Defender Lewis Butroid and striker Luke Williams have also just got back into training so they are likely to miss out, but aside from those three, the Iron have everyone else fit and available.

Notts County manager Kevin Nolan has no new injury worries ahead of the trip to Glanford Park, but is likely to ring the changes following the 3-0 defeat at Coventry City at the weekend.

Forward Jonathan Forte looks likely to feature following the Magpie attack's poor showing at the Ricoh Arena, as well as Nolan revealing he held a "frank discussion" with the ex-Scunthorpe man.

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There haven’t been many fixtures between Notts County and Coventry City, in all fairness: just 38 in the last 97 years.

The first encounter took place on the 6th November 1920, the match at Meadow Lane ending in a 1-1 draw.

The last one, meanwhile, was on 6th April 2015, a goalless draw.

There have plenty of high-scoring games between the two, with several 5-1s, 3-0s and 4-2s over the years.

Notts County have the upper hand in the head-to-heads – 19 victories over the Sky Blues, 11 defeats and 8 draws.

In 2001, Coventry were relegated from the Premier League after 34 years in the first tier. At the time, only Liverpool, Everton and Arsenal could boast longer tenures in the top flight.

A year later, they were relegated to the third tier in English Football for the first time in 48 years, and now, they have slipped down into the bottom tier, compounding a Portsmouth-like fall from grace.

Coventry’s new stadium, the 32,609-capacity Ricoh Arena, was opened in August 2005, but following a rent dispute with the ground's owners the club opted to play their home games at Northampton Town's Sixfields Stadium starting in the 2013–14 season, a move which didn’t prove popular with Sky Blues fans.

On 21 August 2014, it was announced an agreement had been reached allowing the club to return to the Ricoh Arena for the next two years with the option of another two years.

It has been reported that there will be a relocation to another site within the city, as the tenancy with the Ricoh Arena expires in August 2018.

The club’s proudest moment was undoubtedly the 1987 FA Cup final at Wembley, which was won by the Sky Blues thanks to an enthralling 3-2 win after two hours of football.

Following Tottenham Hotspur player Gary Mabbutt’s own goal in extra time, which set Coventry on the way to their win, a fanzine was created called GMK – Gary Mabbutt’s Knee!

Team News

Coventry will be without Ryan Haynes - the defender suffered a knee injury early on in the Sky Blues' pre-season preparations and still has around another month to go in his recovery.

Goalkeeper Lee Burge is struggling with a shoulder injury and a late decision will be made about his involvement.

New signings Michael Doyle, Liam O'Brien, Marc McNulty, Rod McDonald, Liam Kelly, Dominic Hyam, Maxime Biamou, Jack Grimmer and Peter Vincenti are all available to make their debuts

Michael O'Connor is expected to be the only player missing through injury for Notts County.

The midfielder is recovering from a knee operation after suffering cruciate ligament damage towards the end of last season and he will not play again until 2018.

Defender Richard Duffy will captain the team in his absence.

New signings Terry Hawkridge, Lewis Alessandra, Shaun Brisley, Jorge Grant, Dan Jones, Liam Walker, Branislav Pindroch, Pierce Bird and Callum Saunders will all be hoping to make their debuts.

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Notts County and Newport County have met a total of 47 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 25 wins, 9 draws and 13 defeats.

The last meeting was in November 2016 and it proved an embarrassment for Notts as the Exiles cruised to a 3-0 win at Meadow Lane.

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

Newport County, 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 County 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 (which JJ saw live at Glastonbudget last year - and they were naff, it has to be said) are also supporters of the club and were the team's shirt sponsors for the 2004–05 season FAW Premier Cup matches.

Team news

Loanee Alex Samuel was carried off on a stretcher after suffering a hamstring injury during last week's 2-1 defeat at Carlisle United and has returned to parent club Swansea City.

Mitch Rose could return as Newport seek a win which will keep them up, while striker Lenell John-Lewis is in contention to start after making his first appearance of the season off the bench at Carlisle.

Marlon Jackson and Jaanai Gordon could also feature and Mark Randall is expected to be fit, but Ben Tozer and Jamie Turley are set to miss out.

Matt Tootle, sidelined for the last two games by a hamstring problem, has returned to training.

But the defender is unlikely to be risked on Saturday against the 22nd-placed Exiles given the club effectively have nothing left to play for.

Definitely missing will be captain Michael O'Connor, who is set to be out until deep into next season with a knee injury.

The Magpies will finish this campaign either in their current position of 16th or move up to 15th, a spot occupied by a Barnet side who are one point better off.

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The first fixture between Blackpool and Notts took place on 28 November 1896 at Raikes Hall, and finished 3-2 to the Lancashire side.

A total of 58 games have taken place between the two sides, with Notts winning 19, Blackpool winning 24, and 15 draws.

The last fixture came earlier this season, on 12 November 2016 - a humiliating 4-0 defeat for Notts at Bloomfield Road.

Football had developed in Blackpool by 1877 when Victoria FC were founded as a church club with a ground in Caunce Street.

This team disbanded a few years later but some of its members are understood to have merged with old boys from St John's School to form a new club called Blackpool St John's.

But the two factions remained disunited and, on 26 July 1887, at a meeting in the Stanley Arms public house, the members resolved to wind up St John's and form a new club to represent the whole town called Blackpool Football Club.

Blackpool's most notable achievement is winning the 1953 FA Cup Final, the so-called "Matthews Final", in which they beat Bolton Wanderers 4–3, overturning a 1–3 deficit in the closing stages of the game.

During that post-war period, Blackpool made three FA Cup Final appearances in six years and, during the 1950s, had four top-six finishes in the Football League First Division, their best position being runners-up to Manchester United in the 1955–56 season.

In 1953, four Blackpool players were in the England team against Hungary at Wembley, causing the Daily Mirror to declare that "Blackpool are playing Hungary today", though England lost in a famous defeat.

Since the 1950s Blackpool's fortunes have varied, and when they won promotion to the Premier League, at the end of the 2009–10 campaign, Blackpool became the first club in English football to have won promotion from every division of the Football League via the play-off system.

Blackpool's least successful period was officially in the 1980s, particularly when, in the 1982–83 season, they finished 21st in English League football's lowest tier, their lowest-ever League finish.

Team news

Matt Tootle faces a race against time to be fit for Notts County's final home game of the season against Blackpool.

Tootle missed the defeat at Luton Town with a hamstring injury and should he not make it Josh Clackstone is likely to continue in his absence at right-back.

Midfielder Mark Yeates will hope for a recall against his former club while Alan Smith, Curtis Thompson and Jonathan Forte are also vying to be in Kevin Nolan's starting line-up.

Captain Michael O'Connor has been ruled out for up to nine months after sustaining a knee injury against Portsmouth and requires surgery.

Blackpool are just missing long-term absentees Jim McAlister and Jamille Matt.

McAlister broke his leg in early February while striker Matt has a hamstring tear that could rule him out for the remainder of the campaign.

Ian Black, Kyle Vassell and Bright Samuel are all options for boss Gary Bowyer if he decides to freshen things up, although his team have not conceded in their past three games.

The Seasiders are currently sixth in the League Two table and their goal difference is so superior to their rivals that four points from their final two fixtures should ensure they enter the play-offs.

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Notts County and Luton Town have faced off 69 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 34 wins over Notts, 20 draws and 15 defeats.

However, 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 three.

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

Luton are likely to be without Johnny Mullins and Jordan Cook - Mullins is back in training after recovering from a hamstring strain but this weekend is still likely to come too soon for the defender.

Cook, meanwhile, is still out after coming off early in Luton's draw with Leyton Orient last Friday with a knee problem.

Midfielders Danny Green and Cameron McGeehan are both long-term absentees with broken legs.

Notts midfielder Michael O'Connor will be unavailable for the trip to Kenilworth Road after he was carried off on a stretcher during Monday's 3-1 home defeat by Portsmouth.

The club are still assessing the full extent of O'Connor's knee injury and his place is likely to be taken by Elliott Hewitt.

Kevin Nolan is hoping veteran striker and former Newcastle teammate Shola Ameobi will be able to resume after he failed to make the bench for the Pompey game.

Ameobi sat out with a shoulder problem and is hoping to be able to return having been given time to recover.

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Notts County and Portsmouth have met a total of 29 times over the years, the first meeting coming on the 20th November 1926, which the Magpies lost 3-2 at Meadow Lane.

We have beaten Pompey 13 times and played out six draws, with the South Coast side winning on 10 occasions.

Between December 1992 and December 1994 the two teams played each other six times, with Notts failing to get a win in a run that saw three draws and three defeats.

Portsmouth have been champions of England twice, in 1949 and 1950. The club has also won the FA Cup on two occasions, in 1939 and most recently in 2008, and also reached the final of the competition in 2010.

Portsmouth were moderately successful in the 2000s, especially during the 2007–08 Premier League season, when they won the FA Cup, beating Cardiff City 1-0 in the final.

They subsequently qualified for the 2008–09 UEFA Cup competing against European heavyweights such as seven-times European Cup winners AC Milan.

During this period, Portsmouth were recognised to have a large number of international footballers, including England players Glen Johnson and Jermain Defoe, as well as Peter Crouch, David James and Sol Campbell.

However, financial problems soon set in and Portsmouth were relegated to the Championship in 2010.

In 2012 they were again relegated, to League One, and again, in 2013, to League Two.

They began the 2013–14 season in the fourth tier of the English football league system for the first time since the late 1970s.

Portsmouth became the largest fan-owned football club in England, after the Pompey Supporters Trust (PST) successfully gained possession of Fratton Park in April 2013.

Team news

Kevin Nolan has no new injury or suspension worries for Monday's game.

Michael O'Connor returned as captain and was on the scoresheet in the Magpies' 2-2 draw at Crewe Alexandra on Good Friday and is expected to keep his place.

Mark Yeates impressed as a substitute in that game and will hope to feature against Pompey

Likewise, Portsmouth have no fresh injury concerns ahead of their visit of Meadow Lane.

Noel Hunt is still missing so Gary Roberts, who scored on Friday against Plymouth, will retain his place up front.

Conor Chaplin is vying for a place in the starting line-up after coming off the bench in the draw with the Pilgrims.

Forwards Eoin Doyle and Curtis Main remain sidelined for the rest of the campaign.

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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.

Despite our shared history going back so far, there have only been 42 meetings between the two sides. Notts have the upper hand with 21 wins to 13 defeats, and eight 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, 1970 brought a 5-1 victory, while in 2013, a 4-0 scoreline at Meadow Lane brought some light to a gloomy first half of the campaign.

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.

The town of Crewe has an interesting roll call of local legends, including rugby player Mark Cueto, professional BMX racer Shanaze Reade, 1990s heartthrob Adam Rickitt (ask a female friend or relative between the ages of 30 and 40), Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle, and Jimmy MacDonald, also known as the voice of Mickey Mouse.

Team news

Danny Hollands is set to miss the rest of the season for Crewe with a hamstring injury.

Forward Alex Kiwomya could be in contention to start, but Jon Guthrie's ongoing hernia problems mean he will remain on the sidelines.

Crewe are currently 17th in the table and will be looking to respond after back-to-back league defeats.

Notts, meanwhile, welcome back midfielder Mark Yeates after the winger completed a three-match ban.

Yeates is likely to return to the matchday squad, meaning Kevin Nolan will make a decision on whether Adam Campbell or Yeates will start.

Michael O'Connor is pushing for a starting place after impressing off the bench during their win over Carlisle last weekend, while Marc Bola is fit after recovering from a hamstring injury.

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