However, the Magpies will start as huge under-dogs against Adrian Boothroyd's team, who have start well in English football's second tier - currently lying in the dizzy heights of fourth place, after narrowly escaping relegation last season.
Boothroyd has bought well over recent months, bringing in a number of quality players on a restricted budget. They include Jordan Stewart (Leicester), Clarke Carlise (Leeds), Darius Henderson (Gillingham) and, most recently, Malky Mackay (West Ham) and Matthew Spring (Leeds Utd). On-loan Forest striker Marlon King has also started well for the Hornets, though our neighbours aren't allowing King to feature in tonight's encounter.
|
With names such as these it's understandable that the Magpies will go into this match not expecting too much, despite beating Preston NE, Ipswich Town and Bradford City in the League Cup in the past two years.
Thordarson, though, is clearly not too worried about the competition and is expected to use tonight's match as an oppurtunity to field one or two fringe players.
The County boss has named just a 16-man squad for the fixture, leaving Glynn Hurst, Shane McFaul and Ruben Zadkovich at home. All three, plus a number of other squad players, are expected to play in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Coventry tomorrow in a bid to impress.
Youngster Dan Martin is certain to replace Rob Ullathorne at left back, whilst Andy White is also likely to be brought into the starting line-up in place of Gavin Gordon. Matthew Gill could be handed his first start of the season in midfield after impressing as a substitute at the weekend, while Chris Palmer also has a chance of being restored to the starting line-up.
Saul Deeney has returned from his trial at Bristol City and will again line-up on the bench.
Notts (possible): Pilkington; Pipe, Baudet, Wilson, Martin; Gill, McMahon, Edwards, Palmer; Scoffham, White.
Subs: Deeney, O'Callaghan, Ullathorne, Long, Gordon.