David Wetherall has managed Spencer Weir-Daley - now he is ready to mark him.

Struggling Notts County head for Valley Parade on Saturday as Weir-Daley returns to the club where he spent a short loan spell at the end of last season.

And that will bring him into direct contact with City skipper Wetherall, the man who signed the striker during his tenure as caretaker boss.

Wetherall had hoped Weir-Daley would inject a short-term boost as City slid towards relegation but injury restricted him to only two starts and one goal against Brighton.

Wetherall admitted: "It didn't work out and we didn't really see the best of Spencer.

"It was a really frustrating period for ourselves and the player. He damaged his knee in the first training session and it took him time to get over that.

"Then it obviously takes time to find your sharpness again but we were battling against the clock and needed someone to come in and make an impact for us.

"And looking from the outside, I think he's had a frustrating time of it again this year.

"But I wish him all the best because he's a good lad who understandably got very frustrated when things beyond his control went against him.

"He's certainly capable of getting goals at this level and did it for a short time when he was on loan at Lincoln before us. That's why a lot of clubs were after him in the summer.

"I just hope that this is not the weekend when he finds his feet and scoring touch."

Wetherall laughed off any idea that Weir-Daley will want to get his own back for any dressing-room rollickings dished out during his time as a City player.

"I don't think he will be looking to prove a point from that aspect! But I'm sure Spencer would love to come back here and show the football club what they missed out on."

Stuart McCall tried to snap up Weir-Daley as soon as he took over the City helm and held talks with the player.

McCall said: We brought him up to the ground but in the meantime he'd spoken to Notts County. They were on his doorstep and it suited him better to go there."

Wetherall has struck up a solid understanding at the back with Matt Clarke and both played a big part in City's 2-0 win at Accrington last time out.

Clarke, who scored the first goal, has made the central role his own since displacing long-term regular Mark Bower and Wetherall believes their combination is looking solid.

He added: "Clarkey's had to be really patient during his time here. But now he's got his first extended run in the team and taken his chance very well.

"Playing with somebody for a length of time obviously gives you an understanding and that's an advantage to have. But it's not really been too much of a problem, particularly with Clarkey having been round the club for a long time.

"We've trained together for a while so you know pretty much what each other are about.

"So far we've done okay, though there is a lot of work to do. Obviously there's been the odd game when we've conceded goals but in general not too many, so that's always a decent place for the team to start."

Goals have been a problem for County. Weir-Daley has scored only twice in ten league starts - but that still makes him the leading striker.

Their four frontmen have so far contributed only four goals between them, though the loan arrival of Nottingham Forest left winger Felix Bastians could help.

Midfielder Gavin Strachan, son of Celtic boss Gordon, is likely to go straight in after joining from Peterborough on Wednesday. But Guy Branston, another Posh reject, is suspended after collecting his fifth yellow card of the season during last week's loss to Stockport.

County have won just once in their last ten games - a dismal run which included FA Cup embarrassment at home to non-league Havant & Waterlooville. T hey have claimed only one victory away from Meadow Lane although six of their trips have finished in draws, including a recent 0-0 stalemate at Hereford.

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