Notts County boss Luke Williams has highlighted the 'good' problem that awaits him ahead of the National League clash at Altrincham on Tuesday (7.45pm kick-off).
The Magpies boss was forced into an early change during Saturday's win over Scunthorpe following an incident involving Sam Slocombe, introducing Archie Mair for his league debut after arriving on loan from Norwich City in January.
With Tiernan Brooks away on international duty with the Republic of Ireland under-21s, Mair impressed with his composure when the ball was at his feet.
READ MORE: Lessons learned as Luke Williams previews Notts vs Altrincham
Williams was able to provide an encouraging update on the fitness of his number one keeper as he previewed Tuesday's game, and hint at who might start in goal at Altrincham.
He said: "Sam's in discomfort, but it is not a twist or a tear, it is an impact injury, so we have to feel confident that the muscle is relaxed enough and it can do its job and not stay contracted the whole time.
"We have a bit more time with that so we will see how he goes, but fortunately it was not a break or a tear. We will have to do a fitness test tomorrow and see where we are then."
Having used three goalkeepers in Notts' last two National League fixtures, Williams now has to decide who to put between the sticks tomorrow.
"It is only good problems," Williams explained when asked about the decision. "Sam has played consistently well over the course of the season and Tiernan has gone in and done incredibly well, and then I thought Archie also did well at the weekend.
"It is the perfect problem for me and I need to weigh up all things now and try to pick the most sensible decision and the one that is in the best moment to play the game - and that will be the one that goes in."
Speaking after the win over the Iron on Saturday, Connell Rawlinson highlighted Mair's display during difficult circumstances - with Williams echoing the thoughts of the Magpies defender.
"His first action was a big one, I think everyone in the ground took a gasp because he made a really big action to get us through the first press, and after that, he showed a good range of passing - he dropped some balls into the guys on the outside and on the angles and into the guys in midfield.
"He was able to open the game up like we want all of the guys to be able to that when they see opportunities to play right to the top of the pitch, he showed everything and it was a good display of what he has got."
With Richard Brindley returning to the matchday squad for the first time since January, Williams' defensive worries eased slightly as Notts enter the final six games of the National League season.
Jodi Jones is expected to miss the trip to Altrincham after featuring in Malta's 2-0 Euro 2024 qualifier defeat to Italy on Sunday, but the Notts boss was able to provide an encouraging update on both Cedwyn Scott and new signing Junior Morias as they edge closer to a return to action.
He said: "Junior joined in with the whole group today for the first time and did some conditioning after to get closer to where he needs to be.
"Cedwyn worked really hard today in conditioning to try and get him closer and closer, so the fact that both out on the grass and not inside in the gym is a great sign."
Following tomorrow's fixture, the Magpies have an 11-day rest before their next National League game, playing Wealdstone at Meadow Lane before their top-of-the-table clash with Wrexham on Bank Holiday Monday.
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