Notts County were dealt another defensive blow after Alex Lacey was ruled out of their clash to face Altrincham this afternoon.
The centre-back is now the third central defender to be injured at Notts after Kyle Cameron and Connell Rawlinson were ruled out for the next two to three weeks.
Lacey's injury is not thought to be serious in what has been described as a contact injury but it has left Notts with a much-changed back three this afternoon.
With goalkeeper Sam Slocombe also ruled out with a knock, Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson made his debut behind the back three of Richard Brindley, Adam Chicksen and Ciaran Brennan who was starting his first game following his arrival from Sheffield Wednesday.
At right wing-back was Dion Kelly-Evans with Joel Taylor on the opposite flank, while in midfield were Matty Palmer, Ed Francis and Callum Roberts.
Up front was Kyle Wootton and Ruben Rodrigues.
On the subs bench was Frank Vincent, Elisha Sam, Kairo Mitchell, Jim O'Brien and Elisha Sam.
