Hoult and Pilkington ready to battle it out

Notts County's two senior goalkeepers, Russell Hoult and Kevin Pilkington, have said that they expect a tough challenge from each other for possession of Notts County's goalkeeping shirt next season. Both of the experienced stoppers enjoyed a spell between the sticks last season, with Hoult seeing his season curtailed by a serious shoulder injury suffered in December, which allowed Pilkington in for the rest of the season.

Hoult was brought to the club on loan in February 2008 due to an injury to Pilkington, and it seems that both 'keepers being fit at the same time has become something of an impossibility for the Magpies, with both missing large swathes of last season due to fitness issues. Hoult is favourite to be first choice, having retained the shirt when fit last season, but should Pilkington be able to reproduce his form of two seasons ago then there could certainly be an intriguing battle between the sticks for Notts next season.

Russell Hoult told nottscountyfc.co.uk:-

"It will be a good battle, although in the year I've had here we've rarely had the chance to compete for the first-team spot because one of us has been injured.

We get on, work hard together and have a laugh and a joke when the time is right."