Notts County v Oldham preview

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Francois Zoko is suspended for the midweek tie.

Zoko was shown a straight red card during the first half of the 1-1 home draw against Sheffield United on Saturday and the forward will begin a two-match ban.

Striker Enoch Showunmi could be pushing for a recall to the squad after missing out against the Blades with a knock sustained in training last week.

Notts returned to action on Saturday for the first time since New Year’s Day and reported no new injury problems.

Manager Keith Curle has the likes of defenders Julian Kelly and Manny Smith, midfielders Gavin Mahon, Joss Labadie and Hamza Bencherif and forward Romello Nangel to call on if he wishes to make any changes to his starting XI.

A pitch inspection is planned at Meadow Lane at 10am on Tuesday morning.

Oldham welcome back midfielder James Wesolowski as they look to turn around a dismal run of league form.

Wesolowski completed a three-match suspension as Latics suffered a last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Coventry on Saturday and is likely to partner Robbie Simpson in central midfield as skipper Dean Furman is still absent on international duty with South Africa.

David Mellor was handed a first start since March last year at the Ricoh Arena and is expected to continue on the left side of midfield with Cristian Montano (thigh) still sidelined.

Midfielder Chris Sutherland came off the bench for his first action in two months and will hope to be involved once more.

Paul Dickov’s side are without a win in their last seven npower League One matches, picking up a solitary point during that period.

Notts County v Oldham preview

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Damion Stewart and Dele Adebola are doubts for Notts County.

Defender Stewart has a groin injury and striker Adebola a knee problem.

Both players missed the goalless draw at Scunthorpe last Saturday along with Jonathan Forte.

On-loan striker Forte will be out for around another four weeks after suffering three bone fractures in his face during the 5-2 home defeat to Sheffield United 10 days ago.

Skipper Neal Bishop will also remain absent. The midfielder will complete a two-match suspension for the red card he received against the Blades.

Defender Stephen Hunt is making progress in his recovery from a long-term ankle injury but he too will stay on the sidelines.

Dean Bouzanis is set to make his full Oldham debut.

Bouzanis was called upon from the bench against Leyton Orient in midweek when Alex Cisak suffered a shoulder injury and the former Liverpool trainee could be set for an extended run in the side with the No 1 poised to spend around a month on the sidelines.

Captain Dean Furman (knee) could feature in midfield having come through a reserve outing against Tranmere on Wednesday.

Reece Brown is expected to return from an ankle injury in what could be his final appearance for Latics, although Dickov hopes to agree an extension with the defender’s parent club Manchester United.

Robbie Simpson is pushing for a start in attack after making another appearance from the bench against Orient following time out with a broken toe while Filipe Morais could feature for the first time since suffering concussion in a car accident a fortnight ago.

David Mellor (calf) and Carl Winchester (ankle) are struggling with knocks picked up in training while James Wesolowski (shoulder) and Paul Black (hamstring) remain long-term absentees.

Notts County v Oldham preview

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Notts County defender Jon Harley is suspended.

The 31-year-old will begin a two-match ban after collecting his 10th yellow card of the season during the defeat at Huddersfield on Sunday.

Manager Paul Ince is considering recalling Stephen Hunt from his loan spell at Lincoln in order to plug the gap.

With County’s injury crisis showing signs of easing, Sam Sodje, Conor Clifford, Alan Gow, Niogo Demba-Nyren, Febian Brandy and Karl Hawley could be available for recalls.

Craig Westcarr, fit again after a knee injury, and Lee Hughes may again start in attack.

Ince’s side have gone 423 minutes without a league goal since Gow’s penalty at Hillsborough gave Notts a 1-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday on March 12.

Oldham boss Paul Dickov will be without defender Paul Black.

The left-back was substituted midway through the second half of Monday’s goalless draw at home to Tranmere with an abdominal problem.

Dickov later revealed Black has been troubled by the complaint for the last couple of weeks.

He will now see a specialist on Tuesday and is likely to require a minor operation for a release of a ligament in the stomach/groin area.

Oldham are without a win in 12 games – failing to score in 10 of the last 11 – and their new year play-off ambitions have been replaced by a growing anxiety at the opposite end of the table.