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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Tom Leach

Who will come out on top? Ex-Notts loan duo to compete football's most expensive game

Two former Notts County loan stars will go head to head later this month for a place in the Premier League.

Dubbed 'football's most expensive game', the Championship play-off final is worth far more to the winners than just a place in the top flight.

It was estimated that Tom Cairney's winning goal for Fulham last season earned his side a staggering £170.3m, even through they were relegated at the first time of asking.

The three Notts County players with a big point to prove next season

Cairney's goal left Aston Villa, beaten on that day at Wembley, left facing an uncertain future, but now they are back and preparing to face Frank Lampard's Derby County.

Ex-Pies midfielder Jack Grealish will undoubtedly be the one to watch under the arch.

Aston Villa's players celebrate their play-off semi-final win at West Bromwich Albion (David Rogers/Getty Images)

The 23-year-old has been in inspired form for Dean Smith's side this season and his performances have seen him linked with moves to Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Bournemouth.

A success as a teenager under Chris Kiwomya and Shaun Derry, Grealish scored five goals in his first full season of professional football as the Magpies completed a stunning escape at the bottom of League One.

Ex-Notts County boss John Sheridan wants former Magpie Haydn Hollis to join him permanently at Chesterfield

However, he will not be the only ex-Pies star taking to the Wembley turf on Bank Holiday Monday.

Mason Bennett, who enjoyed a short loan spell at Meadow Lane last season, has found himself a regular inclusion under Lampard at Pride Park this season.

Derby's youngest ever goal scorer, Bennett was hurled into the limelight at just 15 but has always struggled for regular first team game time.

Last season, after failing yet again to cement starting place under Gary Rowett, he was sent to Meadow Lane where he would score on his debut.

But injury saw his loan spell cut short after just ten days.

Ex-Notts County goalkeeper could be on the move - but unclear if Magpies will benefit  

Earlier this season, Bennet was tipped to battle for FIFA's puskas away after a sensational piece of improvisation against Wigan Athletic .

Upon his return from injury he immediately became a part of Lampard's plans at Pride Park and has since made 37 appearances, scoring three times.

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