Notts County v Crawley preview

Team news for Saturday's League One clash between Notts County and Crawley Town at Meadow Lane.

Notts County will will give defender Alan Sheehan a late fitness test. The full-back has missed the last five matches with a hamstring problem but could feature after returning to training. Centre-back Manny Smith is still sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury but may start training in three weeks with a view to playing over the Christmas period. Striker Lee Hughes made an appearance from the bench in midweek after missing the FA Cup tie with Portsmouth due to illness and is pushing for a start. Defender Julian Kelly remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, while on-loan centre-back Ashley Eastham has returned to parent club Blackpool. Goalkeeper Fabian Spiess (knee) is a long-term absentee. Crawley will check on Nathan Byrne and Jonathan Forte. Defender Byrne missed Tuesday night's 3-1 defeat at Coventry with an ankle knock and will be assessed along with striker Forte, who was laid low with a sickness bug. Midfielder Hope Akpan sits out again as he is three games into a four-match ban for a red card against Oldham a fortnight ago. Defender Shaun Cooper is fit after recovering from the groin problem he sustained in September and should be on the bench again. Striker Billy Clarke is set to keep his place alongside skipper Gary Alexander in attack after scoring his fourth goal in four games at Coventry.