Ian McParland has labelled tonight's pre-season fixture with Stoke City as a 'different ball game' for his players.

Having taken on Olympia Ljubljana, Wacker Burghausen and Hucknall Town so far in pre-season, McParland's side have seen plenty of the ball and produced some flowing football.

Tonight however, McParland expects his side to see less of the ball for spells during the game - and as a result he is keen to see how his side work when not in possession of the ball.

He told nottscountyfc.co.uk: "Tonight I want to see how the players are progressing four weeks into pre-season training, how fit they are and if they are taking on board how we want to play the game.

"We expect to see less of the ball; we're playing a Premiership team after all, so it is also a test to see if the lads have taken on board what we want to do when we don't have possession of the ball.

"In the games we've played so far we have seen a lot of the ball and we have created a good number of chances - but tonight I expect us to have to work really hard for the ball and do a lot of chasing.

"When we do chase and get the ball back, we have to try and keep it which will be a big test for us."

The step up from playing Hucknall of the Blue Square North last Thursday to tonight's game against a Premiership outfit is a giant step, but McParland isn't concerned about results and he believes a stern test is just what his side needs with the season kicking off next weekend.

"Tonight's game is a much sterner test for us certainly, but right now it is what we need," he explained.

"The lads have done well in the games we have played so far, but tonight is a different ball game.

"It is all part of the pre-season and the games are getting tougher, but I'm not worried about the results.

"Winning is good obviously, but I'm more concerned about getting the players fit for August 9 and also putting in a decent performance - win, lose or draw.

"It is a good test for the lads; they're looking forward to it. The pitch is looking in fantastic shape and the players can't wait to play on it for the first time."

McParland also confirmed that the only players who will miss the game are 'the usual suspects' in Stephen Hunt and Russell Hoult. Hunt is making steady progress after his Adductor operation earlier this month and is still on course for a return in October, while former Stoke goalkeeper Hoult is still sidelined with a stress fracture to his right leg.

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