Exclusive: Don Goodman reacts to "massive" Notts County news ahead of AFC Wimbledon clash | OneFootball

Don Goodman feels that this could be a critical blow for Notts.

Notts County are facing an uphill battle if they are to book their place in the League Two play-off final this weekend.

Stuart Maynard’s side travel to take on an AFC Wimbledon team who boast one of the strongest home records in the fourth tier, and already hold a slender advantage from the first leg in Nottingham last weekend.

The Magpies have a woeful record against Wimbledon, but that needs to change if they are to leave South West London on Saturday with their hopes of promotion still alive.

Their task has been made even more difficult by the news over the last few days that the injury which forced David McGoldrick off late in the first leg is now set to rule him out for the remainder of their play-off campaign.

Don Goodman feels McGoldrick will be a huge miss

With the way this season has gone for Notts, no absence could affect them more than McGoldrick’s.

The 37-year-old veteran has been a huge influence on the team throughout the season, highlighted by the fact that he recently swept all three of the club’s end-of-season awards, after an excellent individual campaign.

The frontman has struck 17 goals and three assists in the league, but brings so much more to this Magpies side than just the numbers alone.

McGoldrick leads by example and has produced moments of sheer brilliance on countless occasions for the Nottingham outfit this season.

Don Goodman believes his absence will be a significant blow to Notts’ hopes of a return to League One.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, the EFL pundit said: “Not having McGoldrick for the second leg is a massive, massive blow. Even if they were to progress, he’s not going to be fit enough for the final, from the reports that I’ve heard.

“It’s compounded by the fact that they’ve also lost Alassana Jatta. Between Jatta and McGoldrick, that’s 39 goals this season that Notts County have lost.

“McGoldrick is such a standout player at that level, arguably the best player in the league, so to not have him or Jatta is a huge blow for them, there’s no doubt about that.”

Notts are now desperately short of options

As Goodman alluded to, news of McGoldrick’s injury is made even worse by the fact that Jatta will also be unavailable this weekend.

The Gambian was controversially shown a straight red card for a lunging challenge deep into stoppage time, before he raised his arm into the face of Josh Neufville after receiving his marching orders.

While it is currently unconfirmed how long his suspension will last, the striker has been charged by the FA for failing to promptly leave the field of play after being sent off, meaning it’s highly likely that he will also miss whatever ultimately remains of their play-off campaign.

That leaves Maynard and his coaching team desperately short of options for Saturday’s game.

The 44-year-old will likely turn to Mai Traore, but the Guinean has played limited minutes since his move from Norwegian side Frederikstad in January, and is yet to find the net in Notts colours.

Another option could be former Peterborough and Northampton man, Junior Morias. However, the 29-year-old has spent the entire season out on loan in the National League and hasn’t made a single appearance for the Magpies this term.

As a result, Maynard’s men will likely need the likes of Jodi Jones and Will Jarvis to step up and produce big moments for them on Saturday.

There is still plenty of talent left in the side, but there can be no doubt about the fact that without McGoldrick and Jatta, they have a mammoth task on their hands.