Notts County could be missing six players for Chesterfield clash and Neal Ardley comments on Ross Fitzsimons' possible Spireites return

Magpies midfielder Michael Doyle serves the first game of a three-match suspension after being sent off last weekend, while goalkeeper Sam Slocombe, midfielder Regan Booty and defender Ben Turner are all definitely ruled out.

Defenders Damien McCrory and Zoumana Bakayogo are also doubts for seventh-placed Notts.

But midfielder Jim O’Brien could return to the starting line-up in place of the suspended Doyle.

“It’s not good timing but whenever we’ve had these challenges the squad has come together,” Ardley told County’s official website

"We’ve dug out results before and hopefully we do the same this weekend.

“Michael Doyle’s been so good lately. We’re going to miss him and Sam Slocombe because they’ve been massive players for us."

Goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons, whose loan spell at Chesterfield was cut short last Friday after just one week due to an injury to Slocombe, could start in goal against the Spireites and then re-join them on loan next week.

“We don’t have a timescale on Sam yet and any conversations around Ross will take place after Saturday,” Ardley added.

“We’ll see how things go and then assess it from there.

“Ross, like all the players, has to make sure he does his job on Saturday.

“I expect the team to go out and perform for each other because we’re desperate to cement a place in the play-offs and one defeat can leave us in mid-table.”

Speaking to the media yesterday, Town caretaker boss John Pemberton said he was hopeful of finalising a deal to bring Fitzsimons back to the Proact by the end of the week.

The stopper would not have been able to play for the Spireites against County anyway due to the terms of the loan deal.

Striker Nathan Tyson and Matt Tootle, who are also on loan from County, cannot play against their parent club tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Pemberton said that he has no new fresh injury concerns, adding that there are “one or two” players carrying knocks but that they should be fine to play.