Notts County

McParland happy with duo's return
Notts County manager Ian McParland was happy to see Mike Edwards and Jay Smith back in the squad during the 3-0 defeat at Bradford following injuries. Both long-term absentees joined in with the pre-match warm-up at Valley Parade. "We want to keep everyone together," McParland told BBC Radio Nottingham. "They can come up with us and get on the pitch and get a feel of it. "They've not played for a long time and we just want them involved with us and to get a feel for the atmosphere." Defender Edwards has been out for six months with a broken leg and dislocated ankle and midfielder Smith was out for four months with a groin injury.

Edwards elation at Magpies return
Notts County defender Mike Edwards was delighted with his return to action in Monday's friendly against Aston Villa. Edwards, 27, has been out for six months after suffering a serious leg injury in a pre-season friendly. But he played 90 minutes in a 4-0 loss to a strong Villa side, including former Forest frontman Marlon Harewood. "It was a bit of a shock having to mark a £10m combination so I was expecting to blow a little bit but it went well," Edwards told SSB. "I'm suffering a bit now, a few little aches but nothing major." Meanwhile, midfielder Neil MacKenzie has flown to Germany for a second hernia operation but could return to action within a week.

McParland cautious over Edwards
Notts County manager Ian McParland says he will not rush influential defender Mike Edwards back into action. The 27-year-old has not played for the first team this year after breaking his leg in a pre-season match in Cornwall. Edwards has played two reserve games but McParland told BBC Radio Nottingham Saturday's game away at Morecambe may still be too much too soon. "Some players can come back, play two reserve games and they're okay. It's a bit of a gamble," McParland said. "You have to be fair, you can't put too much pressure on him. He's been a long time out."

McParland fears Bastians may move
Notts County manager Ian McParland fears on-loan Nottingham Forest midfielder Felix Bastians will not extend his loan stay at Meadow Lane. Bastians was left out of the side for Saturday's 1-1 draw with Grimsby. And McParland confirmed the winger may have played his last game for Notts. "Felix was thinking about staying and it was quite positive," he said. "But we spoke again and he wants to hold off as there are a couple of clubs who are looking to take him on loan." McParland told SSB: "It's down to Felix and it's down to his agent but I've still left the door open for him."

McCann to leave Magpies in summer
Notts County defender Austin McCann has signed a pre-contract agreement to join Scottish Division One side Dunfermline when his deal runs out in the summer. The 28-year-old left-back joined from Boston in 2006 and has played 68 games. Magpies boss Ian McParland said: "With both Paul Hunt and Stephen Mayo in contract next season it would have been difficult to assure Austin a place." Meanwhile County's twice postponed League Two game at Rochdale has been re-arranged for Tuesday 8 April.

Striker Sam departs Meadow Lane
Striker Hector Sam has left Notts County by mutual consent after spending less than a season at Meadow Lane. The 30-year-old joined from Walsall and has played 24 times for the Magpies, but started just nine of those games. Sam's hopes of first team football have suffered further blows with the recent signings of Danny Crow and Ryan Jarvis. "Hector has worked hard during his time here and we would like to wish him all the very best for the future," said Magpies assistant boss Dave Kevan. The Trinidad and Tobago international scored just twice in Magpies colours - once in October's 3-2 home defeat to Hereford and then in the 3-0 FA Cup victory over Histon the following month.

Magpies froze again - McParland
Notts County boss Ian McParland admits his side "froze" during Saturday's 0-0 draw with fellow strugglers Barnet. He said: "I thought some of our boys froze a bit out there. "It is not for the faint-hearted and some of them have to realise where they are playing and the sooner they realise that, we can kick on. "I told the player that the crowd has every right to get on our backs, that was because there were not enough warriors out there."

McParland after one more victory
Notts County manager Ian McParland feels that one more victory will be enough to secure League Two safety after their 1-0 win over Accrington. "We need one more win and I think that will do it," he said. "The crowd were fantastic, they stuck with us when the boys got a bit edgy and I knew they would come out and support us. "The fans kept us going and kept supporting us," McParland added on BBC Radio Nottingham.

Johnson agrees Notts County move
Veteran defender Michael Johnson has agreed a one-year deal with Notts County after a successful loan spell at Meadow Lane. Johnson, 34, joined on loan from Derby County in January and has played a big part in helping the club avoid relegation from League Two. "I couldn't be more pleased," Magpies boss Ian McParland said. "He is still a quality player with a tremendous knowledge of the game - and he's a superb influence." Johnson, who will sign when his Rams contract expires in July, started his career at Meadow Lane and is delighted to be back. He added: "It may or may not be my last year as a professional footballer but I'm definitely not looking to pick up some easy wages. "Everyone knows that it was always in my mind to come back and finish my career at Meadow Lane but I'm determined to do it in the right way. "I like to think that I played my part in preventing us from slipping out of the League and now I want to be involved in moving us forward. "Ideally, of course, I want to see us mount a promotion challenge but we have to be realistic. "There's an awful lot that needs to change before Notts County get back to where we were and it's essential that people recognise that. Things won't change overnight."

Strachan happy at weekend return
Notts County midfielder Gavin Strachan said it felt good to make his return from injury in the final 15 minutes of their 2-2 draw at Exeter. A hamstring problem has meant Strachan has yet to start a game this season. He told the club website: ""I'm feeling really good at the moment and enjoying being back involved in proper first team football again." Captain Mike Edwards is also expected to return to training on Thursday after picking up a groin injury last week. The centre-back, who joined Notts in the summer of 2004 from Grimsby Town, missed the Magpies' 2-2 draw at Exeter on Saturday. Edwards has undergone treatment and is expected to be in contention for a place in the starting line-up to face Aldershot at home on Saturday. County have picked up six points out of seven league matches this season.

Magpies legend Sirrel dies at 86
Legendary Notts County manager Jimmy Sirrel has died at the age of 86. He took charge of the team in 1969 and led the Magpies to the top flight of English football - the former Division One - in 1981. Sirrel was hailed as the Magpies' greatest manager by supporters who had called for a Nottingham road to be named after him. He had three spells as manager of the Football League's oldest club, from 1969 to 75, 1978 to 82 and 1985 to 87. Manchester United manager and good friend Sir Alex Ferguson said Sirrel was highly regarded in the footballing world. Ferguson said: "All I can say is that I'd be confident in Jimmy Sirrel managing a team I supported, and that would be the general opinion from all the managers in the game. "People like Jimmy have had to work with either no money or little money and if you look at his career at Notts County and Sheffield United, you'll see he's done fantastically well with players who are quite limited." Legendary Notts County midfielder Don Masson paid tribute to his former boss. He said: "I owe everything in my football career to Jimmy - he was fantastic." The Magpies' record goalscorer Les Bradd said: "We certainly feared him on match days, particularly when he was throwing jugs of tea at us. "But generally Jimmy was a friend to the players. He would tell funny stories we would laugh at him." Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington, who was signed for Notts County by Sirrel, said: "I have a lot of good feelings for Jim. "He did wonders for my career at Notts County. He was an excellent coach and his man management was very good, particularly with the young ones." Sirrel, who left the Magpies for the first time in 1975 to take over at Sheffield United, regularly attended matches at Meadow Lane until recently. Notts County chairman John Armstrong-Holmes said: "The news has stunned everyone and although it's 20 years since Jimmy left the club, he was still affectionately remembered by everyone. "It was indicative last year of how Notts County fans regarded him that the Trust commissioned a portrait of the great man. "It now hangs prominently in the entrance to Meadow Lane and will be a permanent reminder of all that he did for our club." The Magpies legend, who was born in Glasgow in February 1922, had been in poor health over the past few months. He played as a right-winger with Celtic, Bradford Park Avenue and Brighton before moving to Aldershot, where he began his coaching career.

Tann likely to be out for months
Notts County defender Adam Tann is expected to be out for three months after he was stretchered off in a 1-1 draw with Macclesfield on Saturday. Tann underwent hospital treatment after the tackle by Gareth Evans which saw the Macclesfield player sent off. Results of a scan show that the 26-year-old suffered knee ligament damage. Manager Ian McParland said: "It's a huge blow for us and for Adam as well but we just have to contend with the injury situation." The Magpies are away to Gillingham on Tuesday evening.

Thompson loving life with Magpies
Notts County's on-loan defender John Thompson has said he is loving his stint at Meadow Lane. The 28-year-old former Nottingham Forest player has had his loan from Oldham extended until 3 January. "I would have preferred us to have had a few more points while I've been here and picked up a few more wins," Thompson told BBC Radio Nottingham. "I think that'll come. When I had an opportunity to extend my loan I jumped at the chance. I'm really happy here." Thompson joined Oldham from Forest on a free transfer in 2007. He made more than 100 appearances for Forest and has been capped by the Republic of Ireland three times.

Win was turning point - Nowland
Notts County midfielder Adam Nowland believes the victory over Exeter City will prove to be a turning point. The 14th-placed Magpies came from a goal behind to record only a third home win of the season in League Two. Nowland told Radio Nottingham: "We're confident this is a turning point. The management have been great with us and we owe them now. "We've been working a lot on team spirit, keeping everybody together and this win is going to kick us on." Notts manager Ian McParland has recently stated that some players are frightened of playing at Meadow Lane but Nowland understands why. He said: "We're a massive club and we've been underachieving. It is a difficult arena to play in some times but we need to make it a fortress." Nowland has also declared himself fit despite having to be substituted in the final moments of the victory over Exeter.

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