Stockport County midfielder could be answer to John Bostock's Notts County departure: View | OneFootball

Highlights

Notts County's preparations for another season in League Two will be well underway as the Magpies look to improve on this term's mid-table finish.

The campaign started with promise and Notts were within the play-off places heading into the new year, but since curtailed and perhaps coincided with Luke Williams' departure to Swansea City in January, with that form having started to show during the latter stages of his tenure.

Stuart Maynard was able to steady the ship, and will now have the ability to bring in the players he believes will help improve the East Midlands club as he prepares for his first full season at the Meadow Lane helm.

An important part of preparations will include transfers, both in and out of the club. And with clubs across the Football League announcing their retained lists, a midfielder from Stockport County could be of interest to Richard Montague as he begins a busy period of recruitment along with owners, Christoffer and Alexander Reedtz.

Ryan Croasdale statistics

Having joined the Hatters in 2020, Ryan Croasdale has been an integral part of Stockport's rise from the National League to League One.

The midfielder has made 178 appearances during his time at the club, but was one of eight players, along with striker Paddy Madden, who were told they were no longer needed following the expiration of their contracts.

Croasdale has been a regular feature under Dave Challinor since his arrival at Edgeley Park in 2021, featuring in all 44 league games during their promotion season from the fifth tier.

And at just 29-years-old, the Lancaster-born midfielder has proved this season he still has a lot to give, and is bound to be of interest to a number of clubs in League Two, with Notts County a potential destination in the summer.

While the Magpies possess the midfield talents of Scott Robertson, Dan Crowley and Sam Austin, while also having Matty Palmer returning to the first-team fold in the coming weeks, Croasdale would be a welcome addition to the midfield options, especially given the news of the club's retained list.

Ryan Croasdale could fill the gap left by John Bostock

At the end of last month, the club announced that six players would leave Meadow Lane following the expiration of their current deals at the club, with Aidan Stone, Will Randall and Luther Munakandafa able to explore opportunities away from the East Midlands.

While the retained list confirmed that the focus on improving the squad at Maynard's disposal lay within the defence, with Aden Baldwin, Connell Rawlinson, Richard Brindley and Tobi Adebayo released, two other important players were let go by the club.

Jim O'Brien and John Bostock have proved pivotal in the Magpies' progression in recent years, helping them reclaim their Football League status during the 2022/23 campaign.

It was clear to see the impact the pair had not only on the fans, but also the players. Jodi Jones and Dan Crowley posted heartfelt messages for Bostock upon the announcement that he would leave Meadow Lane.

The duo not only leave behind immense characters within the dressing room, but also that experience needed to tackle the division, something which Croasdale could provide should he make the move to the East Midlands in the summer.

During his time at Stockport, the 29-year-old captained the side 17 times in the absence of Madden, which shows the leadership qualities that will be needed at the club next season.

And having been one of the main players in a title-winning side this term, that can only be a positive addition when looking at the players within Notts' ranks.

Croasdale has the ability to be a combative midfield option along with the ability to carry out the Magpies' possession-based brand of football, something Maynard will be keen to strengthen during his first window overseeing the incomings at Meadow Lane.

While the former Stockport midfielder will not be short of options, the size of Notts County and the feel-good energy around the club at the moment is a huge pull and could tempt Croasdale to put pen to paper on a deal with the Magpies in the summer.