Richo: Stallard unlikely to stay

Stallard returned to the club in February from League One side Barnsley, just over a year after initially leaving The Magpies to join The Addicks.

The popular striker has since gone on to impress in his second spell at the club, netting three times in 12 appearences.

But, despite his current deal at Oakwell set to expire at the end of the current campaign, Richardson admits it is unlikely that the hitman will still be a Notts County player next season.

"We would like to keep Stall," the County boss told the NEP. "He is the sort of player we want playing for the club and, if possible, we will do it.

"But we have to be realistic about these things.

"The club is going to be working on a tight budget next season and, in all likelihood, there is not going to be enough to keep a player like him.

"That is no reflection on him in any way. The fact is, he will probably be able to get a better deal elsewhere."

Richardson, meanwhile, is already preparing for such a situation. Despite his own future still being far from secure, the 35-year-old boss is looking at cheaper alternatives for next season - with an un-named non-league forward the current target.

"I don't want to say who it is because I don't want to alert other clubs," added the Magpies' manager.

"But he has scored more than 30 goals in fewer than 40 matches this season and has hit more than double that when you include last season.

"We hope to get him in on trial in the next few weeks."

30-year-old Stallard is a huge fan favourite at Meadow Lane after an initial five-year spell at the club. The striker has now scored a total of 80 goals at the club, after originally signing from Wycombe Wanderers back in 1999.