Notts County v Carlisle preview
Last Updated: March 1, 2013 4:21pm
Francois Zoko: Could face his former club
Team news for Saturday's League One clash between Notts County and Carlisle at Meadow Lane.
Notts County boss Chris Kiwomya is having to manage a handful of players with knocks ahead of the visit of Carlisle.
The fixture list - the Magpies played six matches during February - is beginning to take its toll on Kiwomya's squad but he did not reveal which players might be affected.
Dean Leacock went off injured five minutes from the end of the 4-1 home victory over Bury last Friday but the defender managed to play the full 90 minutes of the 1-1 draw with Tranmere on Tuesday night.
Francois Zoko returned to the starting line-up at Prenton Park and he will hope to keep his place in the team against his former club.
Carlisle's visit to Meadow Lane will be the first home match for Kiwomya since he was given the Magpies job on a permanent basis last weekend.
Carlisle manager Greg Abbott is hoping winger Matty Robson returns to contention.
Robson, who has been playing at left-back in the absence of Chris Chantler, has missed the last two matches due to a groin injury.
Central defender Danny Livesey started in Tuesday night's home defeat to Walsall despite a head injury and should resume alongside Sean O'Hanlon.
Midfielder Paul Thirlwell could return to the starting line-up as Abbott has hinted at changing from a 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3 formation, with teenage winger Dave Symington expected to make way.
Abbott has no new injury or suspension worries, but Chantler is out for the rest of the season due to an ankle injury.
The Cumbrians, six points above the relegation zone, are chasing their first league win in five matches.
Matches
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npower League 1
Table
npower League 1
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Doncaster Rovers | 46 | 84 |
| 2 | Bournemouth | 46 | 83 |
| 3 | Brentford | 46 | 79 |
| 4 | Yeovil Town | 46 | 77 |
| 5 | Sheffield United | 46 | 75 |
| 6 | Swindon Town | 46 | 74 |
| 7 | Leyton Orient | 46 | 71 |
| 8 | Milton Keynes Dons | 46 | 70 |
| 9 | Walsall | 46 | 68 |
| 10 | Crawley Town | 46 | 68 |
| 11 | Tranmere Rovers | 46 | 67 |
| 12 | Notts County | 46 | 65 |
| 13 | Crewe Alexandra | 46 | 64 |
| 14 | Preston North End | 46 | 59 |
| 15 | Coventry City | 46 | 55 |
| 16 | Shrewsbury Town | 46 | 55 |
| 17 | Carlisle United | 46 | 55 |
| 18 | Stevenage | 46 | 54 |
| 19 | Oldham Athletic | 46 | 51 |
| 20 | Colchester United | 46 | 51 |
| 21 | Scunthorpe United | 46 | 48 |
| 22 | Bury | 46 | 41 |
| 23 | Hartlepool United | 46 | 41 |
| 24 | Portsmouth | 46 | 32 |
