Reserves in action next week

Last updated : 11 April 2006 By Richard Brown

With all but goalkeeper Kevin Pilkington out-of-contract at the end of the current season, manager Gudjon Thordarson will have to run the rule over his players before finally making a decision after the final day of the season, a home tie against Bury in early May.

Gudjon: Not easily impressed
So another friendly match for the club's second-string seems the most practical of ways to allow the club's fringe players to stake their claim for a contract beyond their current term.

The match – which is likely to involve the likes of Stacey Long, Chibuzor Chilaka, Noé Sissoko and Lewis McMahon – will see the club's reserve side line-up against their Port Vale equivalents, with Thordarson keen to see how his men will fair against the Valiants.

"I need to make up my mind who I want to keep around the place for next season. Obviously a lot depends on the backbone of my team that I keep,” said the Notts manager, speaking to the club's official web-site earlier today.

I need a good balance, but it is down to them to show me they are worth keeping.”

"The reserve game next week presents a good chance for them. If they aren't in the team, games like next week are their chance to show me what they can do,” he added.

The match will kick-off at mid-day next Wednesday, 19 April at Meadow Lane. Admission for all supporters is free.




For a report from that match, be sure to check back to NCM next week.