Chesterfield will face Notts County side in 'best physical shape of season'

The third-placed Magpies have won four successive league matches and are unbeaten in seven in all competitions.

The Spireites have only lost one in 11 under James Rowe but have not played for three weeks and have just come out of their third isolation period since December.

“I think we’re in the best shape we’ve been physically all season,” Ardley told Notts County’s official club website.

“We worked the boys quite hard in December when we weren’t playing enough games and I feel we’re starting to see the rewards of that.

“Earlier in the season I was trying to capture what we had at the back end of last season. I wasn’t feeling it post-Christmas within the squad, but I’m feeling it at the moment.

“The boys are in a really good place – everybody is bringing something to the party and the team’s coming first in everyone’s minds.

“I feel like we’ve got what it takes to have a really strong second half of the season.”

County’s star man Cal Roberts has been out injured since December and although he is back running it appears this weekend’s clash will come too soon for him.

Notts will also be without Richard Brindley (groin) and goalkeeper Sam Slocombe (suspended).

Despite recording their fourth league win on the bounce against King’s Lynn Town on Tuesday night, Ardley said ‘the better team lost’ and that his side ‘did not deserve’ the three points.