Boss ponders changes after home defeat

Manager Lee Richardson says the trip to Notts County will be a test of character after the disappointing performance against The Bees.

No new injuries to report, Nicky Travis (ankle) and Jamie Ward (hamstring) are still a week or two off full fitness, Adam Smith (knee) is further away, whilst Gareth Davies (toe) is on loan at Stalybridge Celtic in a bid to get him match fit.

Teenager Ben Algar comes back into the reckoning after a foot problem last week.

Richardson may be tempted into a change or two after the low-key show. Midfield is the most likely area to be tweaked, with Algar or Jamie Jackson both hoping to come in on the left wing, with either Jamie Winter or Peter Leven most at risk.

But there's a good chance that the manager may give the same 11 the chance to redeem themselves.

The keeper and back-four look safe, as do the front two of Jack Lester and Steve Fletcher.

Notts County have a habit of drawing this term, with five out of seven League Two matches drawn by Steve Thompson's Magpies.

County this week signed central defender Michael Byron, aged 20, until the end of the year after he was freed by Hull City. His lack of match fitness after recovering from an injury suffered whilst on loan at Meadow Lane last season means he's unlikely to be considered for selection.

Jay Smith (groin) and Mike Edwards (ankle) are definitely out for the hosts, who can call upon two ex-Spireites, strikers Lawrie Dudfield and Jason Lee, as well as midfielder Neil Mackenzie, who was hours away from signing for Chesterfield before a last minute change of heart.

Last Saturday they drew 1-1 at Millmoor, and many County observers said it was their best of the season. Their only win so far was beating Dagenham & Redbridge 1-0.

n Andriy Shevchenko has urged his team-mates to show unity after Jose Mourinho's departure as Chelsea coach.

Shevchenko's poor performances after his big money arrival from AC Milan and his alleged friendship with billionaire owner Roman Abramovich and new coach Avram Grant are among suspected reasons for the breakdown in Mourinho's relationship with the club.

But Shevchenko insists he does not know Grant any better than the rest of the Chelsea squad.