Notts County have avoided this big David McGoldrick problem with rare twist: View | OneFootball

Notts County return to League Two action this weekend as they welcome AFC Wimbledon to Meadow Lane on Saturday afternoon.

The Magpies come into the encounter off the back of three consecutive defeats, the latest of which coming against relegation-threatened Sutton United, having seen their game against Bradford City last week postponed due to a waterlogged pitch just a couple of hours before the game was due to take place.

But Stuart Maynard and his players have the opportunity to earn their first victory at Meadow Lane this year and push back into contention for a place in the play-offs, boosted by the return of David McGoldrick, who has not featured since a 3-1 defeat to Crewe Alexandra last month.

Stuart Maynard gives David McGoldrick update ahead of AFC Wimbledon clash

The Magpies boss was able to give an update on experienced striker, McGoldrick, who has been in fine form since returning to his boyhood club last summer.

Upon his return to Meadow Lane, where he graduated through the youth team, the 36-year-old has produced some impressive displays this season, contributing some important goals in the early parts of Notts' campaign.

He was forced to withdraw from the Magpies' 3-1 defeat to Crewe last month just four minutes into the second half, with Maynard detailing the injury as a dead leg, keeping him out of the shock defeat to Sutton.

McGoldrick was expected to miss the trip to Yorkshire before it's postponement, but speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham, Maynard was able to provide an update on his squad ahead of the encounter with Wimbledon.

"There are still a few that are on the training ground with us at the minute but are getting closer, but not totally in contention for the squad. "It's positive that they are out there and have been training with us which is really good."

It could prove to be one of the few positives from the postponement last weekend, with one of Notts' more experienced and attacking threats now available for the visit of Johnnie Jackson's side, but also having that extra time on the training pitch to work on certain aspects of recent performances that have seen them drop to 14th in the standings.

That extra week also allowed new signing Alassana Jatta to get up to speed to life in England, having shown promise from the substitutes' bench since his move from Viborg in the January transfer window, with play-off final hero from last season, Cedwyn Scott, also nearing a return to first-team action.

Rearranged Bradford City fixture far from ideal for Notts County

Following the postponement, a rearranged date was given for the away fixture at Valley Parade, confirmed by the club on Tuesday afternoon.

The fixture against Wimbledon kickstarts a hectic schedule in March, with five games in the space of 14 days, three of which are away from home.

The fixture against the Bantams has been sandwiched between trips to fellow play-off hopefuls Crawley Town and Accrington Stanley, with their visit to Bradford scheduled in midweek rather than at the weekend.

This will, of course, affect the attendance figures of fans travelling up from the East Midlands, with many having work commitments and unable to make the trip to back their team at a time when they are needed the most given their recent form.

It looks set to be a defining month in Notts' season and their ambitions of achieving back-to-back promotions this term, with Maynard and his players hopeful of kicking off the busy period with a much-needed victory over a play-off rival this weekend.