SKIPPER Neal Bishop today gave Notts County a big boost by declaring himself fit to face Coventry City.
The Magpies just need their star midfielder Alan Judge and defender Dean Leacock to pass fitness tests before they set off from Meadow Lane and they will be at full strength to face the Sky Blues.
Bishop has been playing with a rib injury since taking a whack against Stevenage earlier this month and went for an X-ray this week because he feared he'd cracked or even broke one or two of them.
But he got the all-clear at the hospital and is now determined to inspire Notts to victory at the Ricoh Arena.
"It's a big relief there's no break, I've just got a bit of bruising," he said.
"Some days it won't bother me at all and then others it will, but it's manageable.
"I take painkillers all of the time now anyway because I'm getting old!
"You get these kind of knocks during a season and you've just got to get on with it.
"It's not going to stop me playing, that's for sure.
"The other lads are all the same.
"We have got a few knocks, but we all really want to play unless it's impossible, which is a good attitude for us to have."
Bishop is likely to line-up alongside Andre Boucaud against Coventry – and he says the on-loan Luton Town midfielder has been in great form for the Notts this season.
The two have played together in central midfield in eight of the Magpies' opening 12 league games – and it would have been more, but Boucaud was harshly sent off at Oldham Athletic and was then banned for three games.
Bishop believes they have quickly formed a good partnership and is confident they can seize control of the game against Coventry as the Magpies aim to extend their record unbeaten away run in the league to 14 games.
"Andre's been brilliant," he said.
"When he signed I think a lot of people were questioning why he was brought in because he came from Luton.
"But he's done his talking on the pitch.
"He's been fantastic. He got his chance against Hartlepool because of an injury and he's cemented his place in the team now and deserves to be in there on merit."
Boucaud is only on loan at Meadow Lane until January, but Bishop hopes Notts can strike a permanent deal with him to stay at the club.
"I'm not privy to what the deal is, but it would be fantastic for him to stay," he added.
"I'm sure a lot of scouts have seen him doing well for us, but I guess we're in prime position to get him because he's here now, he's settled in as one of the lads, he's playing good football.
"If you're doing that why would you want to go anywhere else.
"We clicked from the minute we played together.
"When I'm pushing on it's good to know he's there in the middle if things break down.
"Hopefully we will get even better."
Bishop knows everyone will be expecting Notts to beat Coventry, not only because of their great form on the road, but also because they are flying high in fifth place in the table, while the Blues are languishing in 20th, with just two wins in their first 12 games.
But those stats do not reflect the current form of the Blues, who are unbeaten in their last five games under new boss Mark Robins, after making a disastrous start to the season following their relegation from the Championship.
Nottingham Forest striker David McGoldrick is on loan at the Ricoh and is in red-hot form too, having six goals in 11 games.
"It always seems to be the case when a new manager comes in," said Bishop.
"Everyone wants to show what they can do and that they deserve to be at the club.
"I've heard it's a nice pitch and we will go there full of confidence, especially because of the way we have been playing away from home recently, not that we will be going there taking anything for granted.
"They had a slow start, but I'm sure they will be a force to be reckoned with this season.
"We're confident against any team in this league.
"If we're on our mettle, we can give anyone a good game."
