Ex Magpies fly into Meadow Lane

Grimsby Town were a team largely ridiculed by Notts County fans before the season got underway.

After former Notts boss Russell Slade signed long-serving midfielder Paul Bolland on a two-year deal, messageboard-talk was of the Mariners being certs for the drop.

But no-one was laughing in September when Gudjon Thordarson's side returned from Blundell Park after being on the wrong end of a 4-0 hammering.

Familiar face #1

Slade was largely ridiculed both during and after his brief stint in charge at Meadow Lane, but the former Scarborough boss has fashioned a team - initially dubbed by many to be the 'Notts County reserve side' - that has been among the League Two front-runners all season.

Despite currently being on their worst sequence of results of the season, the Mariners are sat in the third of the automatic promotion places, three points behind league leaders Wycombe Wanderers.

And Slade's signings during the transfer window would suggest that they are a good bet to be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.

Highly-rated centre back Ben Futcher, former Peterborough captain Curtis Woodhouse and Swansea City winger Marc Goodfellow were brought-in and all possess excellent lower-league pedigree.

Former Mansfield Town forward Junior Mendes has also been signed on-loan, while the rejection of a £300,000 bid from Bristol City for star striker Michael Reddy is a signal of Grimsby's intent as they look to bounce-back after a disasterous plunge down the divisions.

Goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall will join Bolland in making his return to Meadow Lane for tomorrow's game, as will former loanee Andy Parkinson.

Familiar face #2

It will be of particular interest to see what kind of reception awaits Bolland, after the midfielder departed in the summer following seven years at the club.

Goodfellow could also be in for a tasty greeting as he looks to make his Grimsby debut. The former Bristol City attacker seemed certain to join the Magpies earlier in the week, but turned his back on the deal in favour of a move to join-up with Slade's promotion hunters.

Meanwhile, Notts will be hoping to extend their unbeaten home run in what is arguably one of the season's most important games so far.

Gudjon Thordarson's team have won four and drawn two of their six home maches since losing 3-2 to Cheltenham in mid-November.

Thordarson has the option to name an unchanged line-up for the fourth successive fixture.

New signing Noe Sissoko is unlikely to even get a place on the bench due to a lack of match fitness, but Brian O'Callaghan is pushing for a place in the back three.

Jake Sheridan will serve his one-match ban after receiving five yellow cards, while midfielder Stacy Long is pushing for a place in the squad after a goal for the reserves in mid-week.

Andy White is unavailable after joining Kidderminster Harriers on a month's loan.

Notts (possible): Pilkington; Wilson, Baudet, Martin; Palmer, Pipe, Crooks, Edwards, Needham; DeBolla, Dadi.

Subs (from): Marshall, O'Callaghan, Ullathorne, Sissoko, McMahon, Long, Scoffham.