Jim O'Brien given all-clear to make Notts County return

But Magpies boss Neal Ardley making sure midfielder's preparations are 'right'

Jim O’Brien has been given the all-clear to play for Notts County but boss Neal Ardley does not expect the midfielder to be firing on all cylinders.

The Scotsman has been out of action since September when he broke his arm in a 2-1 defeat to Bromley which required surgery.

O’Brien’s rehabilitation has gone well and he is now in a position where he is hoping to figure in the trip to Chesterfield in the FA Trophy at the weekend.

But Ardley says he is taking care with O’Brien’s preparations given his arm is still healing.            

“We are trying to do the build-up right,” he said.

“We are hoping Jim can get back in. I don’t expect him to come back and hit the ground running.

“He’s had a serious injury and a rod through his arm.

“It’s not going to heal properly for a little while.

“But he has been given the all-clear to play.”

Should O’Brien be included for the trip to the Spireites he is likely to be one of several changes as Notts look to make it through to the FA Trophy second round.

It comes at a time when some Notts fans are eager to see Ardley tinker with his line-up having not won a league game since the end of October.

The Notts boss says Saturday’s game will give players a chance to cause him a headache.

“You are always an outstanding player and always needed when things aren’t going well,” he said.

“That’s why people call for changes.

“I was always the best player at Wimbledon when they weren’t winning and I was on the bench.

“People say ‘once we get so and so back we will be okay’.

“But some of them will get given an opportunity and have a chance to cause me a problem.”