Final part of entertaining trilogy

The Magpies played-out a good-quality 2-2 draw with the big-spending Cobblers in January, but were defeated 5-2 at Sixfields in an LDV Cup match earlier in the campaign.

With the two clubs' prior meetings spawning 11 goals, it would take a brave person to bet against another shed-load tomorrow.

But Notts fans, realistically, will be more-than a little surprised if their team manages to find the net twice against the team that currently lie fourth in the League Two table.

Gudjon Thordarson's side have continued their bizarre run of monthly cycles by remaining unbeaten in March, but the Magpies drew a blank against woeful Oxford Utd last weekend.

Thordarson: Monthly cycles

Northampton beat Boston 1-0 in mid-week, but once again it looks as though Colin Calderwood's men will have to settle for a playoff position for the third consecutive season.

The Cobblers were unlucky to lose by a solitary goal to the on-form Stags last weekend, but the locals are growing restless after a whopping budget has again failed to yield automatic promotion.

Any doubters over just how many resources Calderwood - one of the names to be linked with the Forest job - has at his disposal, need only to look at Northampton's squad list.

In attack, the transfer-window acquisition of Jason Lee provides ample cover for one of the league's most potent strike pairing's in Scott McGleish and Andy Kirk.

Calderwood has similar quality to call upon all over the field. Josh Low impressed in both fixtures against the Magpies this campaign and is one of the division's best wingers, while midfielders Ian Taylor, Eoin Jess and Martin Smith possess bags of experience.

As the previous two scoreline's may suggest, the Cobblers' biggest weakness lies at the back.

Former Forest man Chris Doig has impressed, but the Magpies were able to expose Northampton's weak rearguard on both occasions earlier in the campaign.

For Thordarson, it's been another week dominated by talk of next season's budget. The announcement of new youth-targeted season ticket prices was swiftly overshadowed by comments from club captain Rob Ullathorne criticising the club's board for a perceived lack of ambition.

Ullathorne should know better. The 34-year-old may have enjoyed an impressive career that has included spells in both the English and Spanish top flight, but he knows little more of the club's financial situation then you or I.

Dadi: Likely return

Ever since emerging from administration in 2003, we always knew that every season up to and including this one would be tight financially. Buying Michael Bridges would never have been possible, not least because the former Premiership striker favoured a move to his native North East.

Of more worry to supporters should be the fact that, despite receiving his playing budget nearly three weeks ago, Thordarson still has no names other than Kevin Pilkington on his playing staff for next season.

As Ullathorne, correctly this time, points out, the uncertainty is helping no-one. Players such as David Pipe have publicly called for the offer of a new contract, but privately told the club earlier in the campaign that he would prefer to wait until the summer before making a decision on his future.

The mixed messages are also unhelpful at this stage of the season.

It eventually took director Howard Wilkinson to bring some common-sense to the table, as he stressed the importance of a good finish to the season.

More wins could mean more season-ticket sales which, in turn, would mean more money for Thordarson to play with as he looks to re-build his squad.

The Icelander will know that a result at Sixfields is unlikely but not impossible and he will seek to draw inspiration from his side's 2-1 success at promotion-chasing Bristol Rovers two weeks ago.

Thordarson, sensibly, opted against making anymore signings before the end of the end of the season but crucially managed to extend the loan of Derby's Nathan Doyle.

Doyle was a vital component of the win at Bristol and was sorely missed after picking up a knee injury just before half-time in last weekend's scoreless draw.

The 20-year-old is expected to feature in the starting line-up tomorrow after progressing well in his recovery in the week.

Noe Sissoko is again an absentee though, as the giant midfielder continues to recover from a groin problem that was plagued him since signing for the club in January.

Eugene Dadi is back in contention after two weeks on the sidelines and will compete with Andy White, Daniel Chillingworth, Steve Scoffham and Jake Sheridan for the two ever-changing spots in attack.

Notts (possible): Pilkington; O'Callaghan, Baudet, Edwards, Ullathorne; Pipe, Doyle, Crooks, Palmer; Dadi, Chillingworth.

Subs (from): Marshall, Friars, Martin, Needham, Long, McMahon, Sheridan, Scoffham, White.