Notts County winger Callum Roberts is closing in on a move to Aberdeen. According to sources in Scotland, the Scottish Premier League club are set to sign the 25-year-old.
Roberts is said to have had a medical north of the border after an undisclosed fee was agreed with the Magpies to acquire him on a three-year deal. The former Newcastle United player scored 17 goals last season as County narrowly missed out on promotion through the National League play-offs.
Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin said: "We will hopefully have a bit of news on the attacking midfielder. I would like one more attacking player, one more attacking midfield player who is comfortable on the ball. And I think we need a bit of left-back cover as well. They are the three key areas at the moment and we are working hard on them.”
All eyes will be on Meadow Lane tomorrow night when more than 11,000 supporters are expected to attend the derby against Nottingham Forest. The away team have sold out their allocation as they prepare for the start of the Premier League season on August 6 at Newcastle United. County begin their National League campaign against Maidenhead United on the same day.
Former Notts County striker Mark Stallard played more than 200 games for the club and says that even though the game is a friendly, bragging rights are still to play for.
“It’s massive for both sides,” said Stallard. “They are not all that common now but when they do happen, even in pre-season, then it’s one that both sides will want to win as local pride is at stake, it’s a big game.
“There will be a big crowd with over 11,000 tickets sold, and despite pre-season being about fitness they will want to win. There is obviously a lot of hype around the game. The season is nearly upon us, but there is enough time before the first league game to play a strong team. There will obviously be substitutions made at some point, but it should be a strong team from both sides, I don’t see why not.”
This is the second time the city rivals will compete for the Derek Pavis Trophy. The former Notts County chairman also served on the Nottingham Forest board but passed away before the sides last played for the trophy in 2017.
Pavis was chairman of County for 13 years between 1987 and his retirement aged 70. The club’s main stand is named in his honour. If the game is drawn then the trophy will be shared.
Notts head coach Luke Williams was left disappointed with his side squandering chances in their 1-1 draw with National League North side Boston United on their last outing last Wednesday night. Williams was appointed as County head coach in June, and the visit of Forest will be his first game in charge at Meadow Lane.
He said of the game: “We need to go into that to try and be a unit and try and defend against what is going to be a ferocious opposition with top quality. We need the guys to be organised and disciplined in their defensive duties. We also need to try and be brave to see if we can create something for ourselves.
“It’s going to be a great night because our neighbours have done incredibly well, are in the big league and I’m sure it will be a special night. I can’t wait to meet the fans and I’m sure it’s going to be a great atmosphere. I’m really excited to stand in the technical area and meet the fans.”
READ NEXT:
