Team News....Vs Woking

Last updated : 12 November 2004 By Rob Davies
Richardson could be without ANY of his senior central defenders. Mike Edwards (cruciate) is out for the season, while Richardson himself is at least a week off match fitness as he continues his recovery from a knee operation.

Baudet: Doubt
Last weeks defensive pairing of Julian Baudet and Mike Whitlow are both severe doubts for the encounter after picking up knocks during last weekend's 3-0 win over Shrewbury.

Veteran Whitlow has a rib injury, while towering Frenchman Baudet continues to be dogged by the foot injury that has hounded him for a number of weeks. Should either pass a fitness test, it would still require a pain-killing injection for them to play.

If neither of the duo are fit enough to feature, it seems likely that teenager's Kelvin Wilson and Emmet Friars will form a makeshift duo against the Conference outfit. However, this would mean Richardson shifting from last Saturday's 3-5-2 to a more orthodox 4-4-2- a move that is made all the more difficult by the fact Notts also have no fit left back!

Experienced Rob Ullathorne (groin) is still almost certain to be out, while his junior understudy, Eddie McIntyre, is also currently injured.

Richardson also faces doubts over midfield duo Stefan Oakes (knee) and Shane McFaul (ankle), though it is hoped that both will be given the all-clear to play in this afternoon's clash.

Though it is unclear as to whether it is anything more than bad luck as to why we seem to have had so many injuries this season, it is clear Richardson is faced with a huge problem ahead of the cup tie that he has stated carries huge importance.

"If Mike and Julien don't come through I don't know what we will do," Richardson told Friday's NEP.

"We can play Emmet and Kelvin, which is not a problem, but that means we would have to switch to a 4-4-2 and, at the moment, both the left backs we have at the club - Rob Ullathorne and Eddie McIntyre - are out injured.

"That would mean playing players out of position, which is not ideal.

"If he does come back it will be straight into the team for him tomorrow.

"Shane McFaul has also been out with an ankle problem, but he probably has the best chance of any of the injured lads of playing."

Notts (probable): Deeney; Wilson, Baudet, Whitlow/Friars; Pipe, Bolland, Oakes/Gill, McFaul, Palmer; Hurst, Gordon.

Subs (from): Mildenhall, Friars, Gill, Scully, Kuduzovic, O'Grady, Williams.