Jodi boost at least for Notts in defeat

NOTTS County head coach Stuart Maynard says it's "incredible" to have Jodi Jones back as the Magpies head down the final straight in their promotion push.

- By SAM ALLEN

Maynard's men suffered a blow on Saturday when they lost 1-0 away against Colchester United but one positive was the appearance of Jones, who went on as a 72nd minute substitute.

It was his his first involvement in just over a month after injury and Maynard said: "It's incredible to see him back.

"The medical team have done an incredible job to get him back as quick as they have. He's played 20 minutes, so we've just got to build him up but it's brilliant."

The Magpies' pursuit of automatic promotion faced a fresh setback after two confident victories against Newport County and MK Dons before the weekend's trip down to Essex.

The playing surface at Colchester was a stark contrast to the one Notts provide at Meadow Lane. There was as much sand as grass on the pitch, making it difficult to play the flowing, passing football Maynard wants to see.