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Kevin Nolan has given his thoughts on Notts County's upcoming League Two clash at Grimsby Town and confirmed that Jorge Grant is in contention to make the squad. The loanee was out with an ankle injury as the Magpies ran out 4-1 winners over Yeovil Town last weekend but has made a swift recovery. With so much resting on Saturday's trip to Blundell Park, Nolan is pleased to be able to call on his top scorer as Notts seek to get into the top three. "Jorge trained today and everythin

Notts County boss Kevin Nolan has revealed that he left Jorge Grant on the bench against Carlisle United because he has looked "a bit jaded" over the last few weeks. The attacking midfielder has impressed for the Magpies for the majority of this season, as well as the second half of last term, but has appeared somewhat off form in recent games. Grant was thus benched for the 2-1 win over the Cumbrians on Tuesday night although he did come on as a late substitute. “This is Jorge’s

Kevin Nolan has reiterated that Jorge Grant is a special talent as he continues to conjure up the magic for Notts County. The 23-year-old loanee registered his 14th goal of the campaign on Saturday as he helped the Magpies into the third round of the FA Cup. In the second-round meeting with Oxford City, Grant was perfectly placed in the box to smash home a rebounded shot in the 94th minute for a 3-2 win. “We speak to Jorge about it, it just comes to him in the box. It’s not him be

Kevin Nolan has bemoaned Notts County's 2-1 defeat to Exeter City and rued a number of key refereeing decisions which he felt cost his side dear. The visitors raced into the lead after just eight minutes through Jake Taylor's tap-in before Stockley struck the decisive second just before half-time. Jon Stead scored a second-half penalty after Shola Ameobi was hauled down in the box but the Magpies couldn't find an equaliser and so lost their unbeaten home record which stretched back to

Kevin Nolan has suggested that Kristian Dennis could make his first Notts County start in Friday's League Two meeting with Yeovil Town. The striker was left out of the squad for Tuesday’s EFL Cup trip to Middlesbrough to work on his fitness. Speaking a day before the Glovers clash, Nolan is confident that Dennis' extra grafting could see him involved from the off. “We kept him back because we felt he had a real chance of starting on Friday,” Nolan told the official Notts site.

Notts County manager Kevin Nolan has revealed that Kristian Dennis is in line for his first pre-season appearance this weekend. The forward, who scored 21 goals for Chesterfield last season, missed the Magpies' opening three friendlies due to injury. However, Dennis is now back to fitness and Nolan says he will be involved against Leicester City on Saturday at Meadow Lane. "He's back," Nolan told the official club website. "We were gutted when we realised he wasn't going to b

Kevin Nolan has admitted that letting Liam Walker leave Notts County was a tough decision but could not stand in his way after being given an opportunity to play elsewhere. The Gibraltar international left Meadow Lane on Monday having had his contract terminated by mutual consent, having made just 19 appearances this season and failing to make the squad altogether in recent weeks. "Liam got given an opportunity to go elsewhere," Nolan told the Nottingham Post. "He rang the club and ask

Kevin Nolan has described Notts County's League Two regular season finale against Luton Town as a "fantastic opportunity" to prepare for the playoffs. The Magpies' 2-1 loss at Grimsby Town, combined with Wycombe Wanderers' 2-1 win at Chesterfield, saw the Chairboys fill the last top-three spot in the table. Notts cannot finish any higher than fourth or lower than seventh, but before navigating the playoffs, must first see out the 46th and final fixture, and awaiting them on Saturday is

Kevin Nolan has claimed that managers should be given power to use video assisted refereeing (VAR) to challenge major decisions. At present, either the referee or the video assistant can make use of the system when there is a "clear and obvious error" involving goals, penalty awards, red cards, or mistaken identity. Nolan, meanwhile, is proposing a system similar to tennis or cricket, and thinks both managers should be allowed one unsuccessful challenge per match. "You won't have

Kevin Nolan has admitted that some people at Manchester City were surprised to see Will Patching get released. The former England youth international is now at Notts County, who had seen off numerous clubs for his signature. Luckily for the Magpies, Patching shares the same agent as Tom Crawford, who is also at Meadow Lane having joined from Chester FC. “When we spoke to a couple of people at Man City they were surprised Will had been released,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post.

Kevin Nolan is looking forward to Saturday's League Two derby between Notts County and Mansfield Town but warns that the opposition are "no mugs". Both sides are in the hunt for automatic promotion this season, with the Magpies hoping to make it four games unbeaten, deal a big blow to a direct promotion contender, and claim regional bragging rights. Although the game will be the first Nottinghamshire derby for new Stags manager David Flitcroft, Nolan is still mindful of their strong sq

Kevin Nolan has claimed that Matt Tootle is well worthy of winning the Notts County Fans' Player of the Year award and reiterated his wholehearted support for the full-back. Tootle has enjoyed a superb season in the black and white stripes thanks to his displays which combined dynamism with consistency. The 27-year-old is also a fan favourite thanks to his eccentric, loveable personality, as shown by his quirky "slug" goal celebration which he has used several times this season after c

Kevin Nolan has provided an update on Michael O'Connor's rehabilitation, saying the Notts County club captain is doing really well and is on the right track. The 30-year-old needed surgery to repair his cruciate ligaments and on his meniscus, an injury picked up against Portsmouth in April last season. Nolan says he is delighted with the progress made so far by the midfielder and hasn’t ruled out a return by the end of the season. “Occy’s professionalism has shown right through th

Kevin Nolan has given a positive assessment of Michael O'Connor's rehabilitation from a serious knee injury. The midfielder, who recently turned 30, needed surgery to repair his cruciate ligaments and on his meniscus, an injury picked up against Portsmouth in April last season. Nolan says he has been happy with the progress made so far by the club captain and hasn’t ruled out a return by the player at the end of the season. “Occy is in a good place,” the manager told the Nottingha

Kevin Nolan has claimed that there is more to come from Notts County in terms of performances following their exhilarating 4-2 win over Bristol Rovers. Although the Pirates powered into a two-goal lead early on in Friday's FA Cup first-round encounter at Meadow Lane, the hosts turned it around in swashbuckling style. Ryan Yates' quickfire brace brought Notts level in the first half before Jon Stead and Jorge Grant completed the turnaround, though it could have been more for the Magpies

Kevin Nolan has stressed that Notts County will need to ensure they adapt properly to Newport County's pitch when they play the Exiles on Saturday. The Rodney Parade turf sees three teams play on it - the football club and two rugby teams - which means plenty of wear and tear, and criticism over its quality. Despite three quarters of a million pounds being invested into the pitch by the Welsh Rugby Union last summer to improve its drainage, it continues to have issues. Just last w

Kevin Nolan has claimed that while he has fond memories of being promoted at an away game, he does not want Portsmouth to be enjoying a promotion party of their own at Meadow Lane on Monday. Pompey face Notts County in Nottingham in two days' time and, should they beat the Magpies and Luton Town drop points, they will be promoted to League One. Nolan enjoyed a promotion party at Plymouth Argyle seven years ago as part of the Newcastle United squad, and remembers how the Pilgrims allowe

Kevin Nolan has claimed that no team has deserved to beat Notts County at home in the league since Portsmouth last April. The South Coast side won at Meadow Lane at the tail end of last season to secure promotion and, since then, the Magpies had remained unbeaten on their own turf in League Two. However, Exeter City have now ended County's superb unbeaten league home record, winning 2-1 on Saturday. Speaking ahead of Tuesday night's meeting with Crawley Town, Nolan says his side w

Kevin Nolan has played down any special significance towards Notts County's weekend fixture at Leyton Orient, describing it as just another game. The 34-year-old began his managerial career at Brisbane Road in January last year as player-manager but was sacked by owner Francesco Becchetti in April despite his 47 percent win record. Saturday sees the Magpies gaffer take his side back to his old stomping ground for a relegation six-pointer, with just one point separating the 21st-placed

Kevin Nolan has stressed that Notts County will not be able to "run riot over teams week in, week out" at Meadow Lane after Grimsby Town held the hosts to a goalless draw at the weekend. In a game of few genuine chances, the Magpies failed to muster a single shot on target against a Mariners side that defended well and had the best chance of the encounter through Jamille Matt. The result sees Notts still in second, four points ahead of third-placed Exeter City, but with Luton winning 2

Kevin Nolan has stressed he will not be panicking, or panic buying, after Notts County's heavy loss at Coventry City at the weekend. A Jodi Jones hat-trick inflicted a 3-0 defeat on the Magpies at the Ricoh Arena, with two of his goals coming in the last 10 minutes. Notts were blunt in attack, while the defence could have done much better for Jones's goals - implying a potential need for yet more new recruits. Nolan says he was disappointed with the performance, but maintains he w