Magpies hoping for return to action
Notts County are hopeful of playing their first football since New Year's Day when they host Sheffield United at Meadow Lane.
The Magpies' second-round FA Cup exit at the hands of Rotherham and last weekend's postponement at Portsmouth have left Keith Curle's squad kicking their heels in recent weeks.
Despite snow and ice in the Nottingham area, the Meadow Lane pitch passed a Friday inspection, but will be assessed once more on Saturday morning.
Andre Boucaud is available having returned to the club on a permanent basis following the midfielder's successful loan spell from Luton.
The extended break leaves Curle with no further major injury worries among a squad that is much lighter than last time they were in competitive action.
Since the 2-1 home defeat to MK Dons, Chris Iwelumo, Carl Regan, Tom Williams, Lee Hughes, Jordan Stewart and Damion Stewart have all left the club.
Sheffield United manager Danny Wilson could name an unchanged starting line-up.
Wilson has no new injury or suspension problems as his side look to bounce back from last week's home defeat to Yeovil and is likely to keep faith with the same XI who started.
Teenage striker Joe Ironside made his eighth appearance off the substitutes' bench this season against the Glovers and is pushing for his first start.
Defenders Matt Hill (broken jaw) and Neill Collins (fractured cheekbone) remain sidelined, while striker Shaun Miller (knee) has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
Goalkeeper Mark Howard is making steady progress in his recovery from a thigh injury that has kept him out since the beginning of October, but Lecsinel Jean-Francois remains sidelined.
The Blades have taken only one point from their last three league games.
Source: PA
