Notts County assistant head coach Ryan Harley has revealed that both Ruben Rodrigues and Cedwyn Scott are nearing a return after missing Tuesday night’s friendly against Alfreton Town.
New signing Scott also missed last Saturday’s game against Leicester City. Speaking to Pies Player, Harley said: “He’s [Rodrigues] got a niggle, he should be hopefully okay for Saturday but we’ll see how he is tomorrow when he comes in to see the physio. I think it’s minor.
“He [Scott] should hopefully be in in the next couple of days. He’s recovering. He had a bit of an illness but should be back soon, hopefully.”
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New signing Macauley Langstaff had also missed the Leicester friendly through illness, but returned to action on Tuesday evening and could have scored had it not been for a strong challenge from an Alfreton player.
“It was a great touch and he was in,” Harley exclaimed. “It probably would’ve been a red [card] in a normal game but the ref let the guy off but it was a great action from Macca.”
In a dominant display away at the National League North outfit, the Magpies were excellent with a Cal Roberts penalty and a close-range Ed Francis finish either side of half-time proving the difference between the two sides.
The result continues County’s 100 per cent record during pre-season with a 5-1 win at Basford and a 2-1 victory against Premier League outfit Leicester also recorded as part of Luke Williams’ side’s preparations for the upcoming National League season.
The former Swansea City assistant took over at Meadow Lane last month following Ian Burchnall’s departure for Forest Green Rovers and has been implementing new ideas into his squad alongside assistant Harley.
“We’re really pleased with it,” Williams’ assistant said after the match. “The boys were very good in both halves.
“It’s a training exercise but we are trying to get the work in from what we’ve done on the training ground. And the boys were very slick, they’re looking in good shape.
“It’s a different opposition. Leicester are going to have a lot more of the ball, we had a lot more of the ball this evening. We were quite efficient with it and we could’ve scored a few more but generally we’re pretty pleased.
“Yeah there were [physical battles], but the guys defended really well and we can be a team who has a lot of possession and when the opposition clear the ball we let them out easily so we sort of lock teams in. They did that really well.
“Our number four and the centre-halves from both halves did really well, blocking, reading and then starting the game again.”
Next up is a trip to St Neots Town on Saturday to take on League One outfit Cambridge United, with Williams’ side set to play two 70-minute matches against the Us.
“Yeah of course [a chance to get more minutes into the players],” Harley added. “Because I think after that we have three [more friendlies] so it quickly goes and you run out of time, so a lot more work to get in.
“We’re slowly ramping up every game, bit by bit and hopefully we’ll have a little bit more on Saturday.
“It’ll be a different type of game obviously, [the] opposition will be good. But the guys are looking great, we’re very happy with what they’re doing and it’ll be two different teams again [on] Saturday. But looking forward to it.”
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