NCM's pick v Lincoln City

Goalkeeper - Remains only one choice. Kevin Pilkington is having a decent season and has rarely dropped his standard. Hasn't made any outstanding errors that seem to have become English goalkeepers' fortes, but still concerns fans when failing to command his box. Deserves the jersey, especially with Tim Sandercombe still a mere rooky.

Right-back - Lee Canoville experienced something of an upturn in form once back from injury, but last week slipped back into his old self with a poor display littered with mistakes. Seemed to rest on his laurels, and with the possibility of facing wing wizard Dany N'Guessan it appears better to start Adam Tann here. Tann has been in good form of late at the heart of the defence, but is equally at ease here.

Centre-backs - Stephen Hunt should return to the side after being left on the bench following a brief injury last week. He is clearly Notts' best and most consistent defender while Mike Edwards remains on the sidelines, and has the mettle to deal with big games like the Lincoln one. Krystian Pearce has showed he has the makings of a top defender since the start of his loan spell, despite a few instances of inexperience. Looks a good prospect and will be too classy for Ben Wright and Jamie Forrester.

Left-back - Paul Mayo will be relishing a return to the ground where he enjoyed two successful spells stretched over seven years. He undeservedly became a bit of a scapegoat towards the end of his time at the Imps and has admitted his frustration at the way it ended, giving him real reason to go back and defy those who unfairly tarnished the end to a fine spell there. The other choice - Austin McCann - is clearly out of favour at the moment.

Right-wing - Only unused youngster Stef Frost and the badly out of form Andy Parkinson can claim to be natural right wingers. Therefore it leaves no other option but to continue with central midfielder Richard Butcher in this role. Not his best position but he has manfully stuck to his task there and was Notts' best player in the first half against Macclesfield from this position. Another former Imp but one who is well-loved there, and another relishing the return.

Centre-midfielders - Neil MacKenzie returned to training on Thursday and that means he should start. Even if he gets only 60 minutes it is worth it for all he was missed last week. Everything goes through him and he will be welcomed back with open arms. The key player for Notts - has to start. Alongside him Matt Somner is a better holding midfielder than Gary Silk who has been preferred in there to Somner by McParland in recent weeks. Somner and MacKenzie seemed to have struck up a good understanding earlier in the season and this is Notts' best midfield partnership.

Left-wing - Myles Weston replaced Parkinson at half-time last week and improved Notts with his pace and directness. These very attributes make him a big threat and before missing the Histon game after a family bereavement he was showing signs of developing into a dangerous player.

Strikers - Lawrie Dudfield and Craig Lindfield have started the last few games but Lindfield's initial promise has faded and he may be better as an impact substitute here. That would allow Spencer Weir-Daley the chance against a club where he enjoyed a fine loan spell last season and who he turned down to link up with Notts in the summer. Weir-Daley will be bang up for this and his sharpness will worry a poor Imps backline. Dudfield is Notts' most in-form striker and should keep his place ahead of impact man Hector Sam.