Notts County manager Kevin Nolan is aiming to halt Swansea City’s momentum when his League Two club host Carlos Carvalhal’s side in Saturday’s FA Cup tie.
The Swans will be looking to continue their positive form under Carvalhal when they travel to County in the fourth round, having only lost once since their new manager was appointed in late December.
The Portuguese has enjoyed a highly encouraging start with three victories and two draws in his six games in charge so far, including wins in their last two matches against Wolves in the Cup and Liverpool in the Premier League.
However, Notts County are second in League Two and manager Nolan – the former West Ham and Bolton midfielder – hopes they can bring Swansea back down to earth after their win over Liverpool on Monday night.
“Hopefully we can ruin their week,” he said. “They will come here on a high after that victory. Their players and supporters will be absolutely buzzing.
“Why can’t we win? It’s 90 minutes. I don’t fear anybody playing here at the Lane.
“Make no mistake, this is a tricky tie for them. They will be on the up just at the minute but we’re ready and if we can get a bit of a help from Lady Luck who knows?”
Notts County will be looking to avoid a third straight home defeat, having lost their previous two matches to Exeter and Crawley.
Goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons and defender Matty Virtue are both banned for Notts County after being sent off against Crawley.
Matt Tootle is also out after missing the last two games through illness.
Swansea will check on Tammy Abraham (hip) and Renato Sanches (hamstring) while Federico Fernandez will also be assessed after needing two stitches in a nose injury during Monday’s win against Liverpool.
Carvalhal has promised changes and goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt, Kyle Bartley, Tom Carroll and Luciano Narsingh are all likely to start.
Notts County have reached the fifth round on just one occasion this century, beating Wigan Athletic 2-0 in a fourth-round replay in 2009/10.
The last time Swansea reached the fourth round was in 2014/15, losing to Championship side Blackburn 3-1 at Ewood Park. In fact, the Swans have been eliminated from two of their last three ties against lower league opponents.
After being eliminated in eight successive FA Cup ties against top-flight opposition, the Magpies have progressed in two of the last four – beating Wigan in 2010 and Sunderland in 2011.
Swansea City have won just eight competitive games all season so far – three of which have come against lower-league opposition in domestic cup competitions.
