Influential pair struggling

Last updated : 17 April 2009 By Dane Vincent

Doubtful: Hamshaw may miss out.
Notts are waiting on two key players ahead of their trip to Christie Park tomorrow.

Consistent winger Matthew Hamshaw has been struggling with an ankle injury. Speaking to the club's official website, Ian McParland revealed the current status of the problem.

He said: "Hammy is a doubt for us and we'll have to see how he is. It would be a big miss for us but we're pretty confident he will be fit."

It has also been declared that John Thompson has been playing through a lung problem over the past five weeks.

McParland added: "John has had a lung problem in the last five weeks but we haven't said too much about it.

"He has been for tests on it and they are getting to the bottom of it now. He is to go back for another test to see how they are going to treat it.

"The physio and doctor have spoken about him taking steroids but they don't like doing that with athletes as it can cause weight gain.

"He's been struggling with it but hopefully he will be cured by the start of pre-season.

"We have had to calm him down a bit in training but he can still get by and the doctors have told me he is okay to play.

"I will speak to John about whether he wants to be left out for the rest of the season and decide with him.

"Psychologically, it has affected him because he knows he can do more but he's not able to do it because of the problem.

"He could have come to me and said he couldn't go on with it but he's kept going, which says a lot about his character and commitment to the club."

At the Fans Forum on Tuesday night Notts' boss explained that Adam Nowland is out with a back injury, which may require him to go under the knife.

Russell Hoult (shoulder) remains sidelined with his long-term shoulder issue.

Morecambe on the other hand are set to welcome back on-loan striker Rene Howe, who has missed their 1-0 win over Macclesfield with a virus.