Looking a bit threadbare

Utility: Players like Smith have been handy when injuries kick in.

Following the departures of Spencer Weir-Daley and Jay Smith yesterday, County's squad is looking a wafer-thin.

A total of four players have left the club this month with Neil Mackenzie and Paul Mayo also having their contracts cancelled by mutual consent.

Ian McParland now has just four days to work his magic as the transfer window creeps to a close.

Efforts so far have proven unsuccessful, but the extra funds freed up by recent exits may give allow him that extra leverage in persuading potential signings.

Even if he was to acquire yet another loan signing it would no doubt ease the pressure that is now placed on the waning squad, which is now down to just 20 members - including those on loan.

Utility men have come in handy at various points and being just over half-way through the campaign it is likely that such figures will need to be called upon again, especially when considering the team's recent injury fiasco.

The club has already made a serious statement by snapping up defensive duo, Jamie Clapham and John Thompson on lengthy deals.

But, more arrivals of this stature are certainly needed to help the club push on into next term as well as see them through this one.

McParland has already expressed his unwillingness to panic. He explained to the Nottingham Evening Post that any new arrivals have to be of the correct mould.

"It has to be the right player with the right character for the dressing room. I don't want any bad eggs," he said.

"I am still pursuing a couple of players who we might get.

"All managers, the likes of Martin O'Neill, won't bring players in for the sake of it and he's a top Premier League manager who has got money available."

Failure to recruit fresh faces before the deadline at 12am on Sunday may decide whether Notts mount an unlikely push for the Play-Offs or dwindle amid the depths of the basement division for another year.