Student Sean McCarron previews the AEK Athens game...
Notts County welcome Greek side AEK Athens to Meadow lane this Sunday, as The Magpies continue their pre-season preparations for the new League 1 season.
The squad are returning home from a pre-season training trip to Spain, where they were faced with various different training camps in order to improve the team’s fitness ahead of the new season, which is now under three weeks away.
The Magpies begin their league campaign away to Crewe Alexandra, but manager Keith Curle will be hoping the trip abroad has improved team fitness and they will show they’re ready for the new season this Sunday against AEK Athens.
Curle will be hoping County can improve on their current pre-season form which has seen them draw to Buxton and Alfreton Town, beat Scarborough and most recently lose to Gibraltar in a game that saw many of the first ream rested.
The County faithful will be hoping to get their first look at Andre Boucaud, the 27-year-old midfielder who joined The Magpies this week on loan until January from Luton Town. Boucaud joined up with his new teammates in Spain and took part in the game against Gibraltar.
Sunday’s opponents AEK Athens will prove a stern test for Curle’s men, the former Greek league champions are currently touring England as part of their own pre-season preparations and have already lost 2-1 to Blackburn, lost 1-0 to Preston North End but did defeat Wrexham 3-1 in their latest game.
With the new season under way in less than three weeks, County will hope to gain some momentum with a win over AEK Athens and then two days later face local rivals Nottingham Forest in their final pre-season friendly.