PREVIEW: Notts manager John Sheridan ‘expects a reaction’ as Shaun Derry returns

Video: John Sheridan on ‘expecting a reaction’ against Cambridge

Current Notts manager John Sheridan has said he is ‘expecting a reaction’ as the Magpies face Cambridge United at home with a familiar face occupying the opposing dugout.

County play Cambridge United who are managed by former Notts boss Shaun Derry tonight (Tuesday November 22) at Meadow Lane.

Derry was responsible for helping to pull off ‘The Great Escape’ as Notts managed to secure League One status in 2013/14 after being seven points from safety with nine games to go in the season.

The Magpies currently sit 12th in Sky Bet League Two on 22 points after having picked up just one point out of the last possible nine available.

Last time out County lost 3-0 at home to Blackpool and John Sheridan says he wants to see a reaction from the players.

We can go on a four, five, six game unbeaten run

He said: “I’m one of them; I want to do well and that’s probably why I beat myself up so much because I want to get out of this league straight away.

“I feel like we’ve got the players to do it but we’re just not performing and we’re not showing that we are actually good enough to get out of it.

“We need to pick up; Saturday’s game has gone and I try and pick them up in the best way that I can but if we don’t play like we can and we lose four, five or six games, we start to worry don’t we.

“I don’t expect us to do that but I expect a reaction, we can go on a four, five, six game unbeaten run.”

Video: John Sheridan on Notts’ home form

Sheridan also says he finds it hard to watch football because he wants to be out on the pitch to play a part but is privileged to be a manager.

He said: “I find it hard watching football because when we play the way we do sometimes but I do that even when it’s on telly, it’s not just with us.

“Fortunately though, I’m in a very good position of being a football manager and have the opportunity to manage a good club.

“There are lots and lots of managers who are better than me out there who aren’t managing so I’m privileged to be in a job and I want to do well.”

Notts’ captain Michael O’Connor is available for selection after recovering from a toe injury, as are Matt Tootle and Jonathan Forte.

Jordan Richards has picked up an injury and is unavailable for selection, as are Stanley Aborah, Curtis Thompson and Magpies’ top scorer Jon Stead with injuries; Vadaine Oliver is serving the last of his three-match ban.

Cambridge defender Josh Coulson will not play after picking up an injury at the weekend in the U’s 2-1 home loss to Wycombe.

Medy Elito may still not be available for selection after picking up a knock before the Wycombe game but George Maris is expected to feature.

Adam McGurk is out with a thigh injury with Elliot Omazusi and Barry Corr long-term absentees.

Cambridge United pulled off the double against the Magpies in Sky Bet League Two last season.

At Meadow Lane on April 23 earlier this year, the U’s won 2-1 after Luke Berry and Ben Williamson scored either side of a Haydn Hollis goal; Liam Noble was sent off late in the second half.

At Abbey Stadium on November 28 2015, Cambridge prevailed 3-1 after Adam Campbell opened the scoring for Notts.

Cambridge then scored three second half goals as Barry Corr, Ben Williamson and Luke Berry all netted.