Notts County doubts raised over signing 19-goal attacker as York City claim dropped | OneFootball

FLW's Notts County fan pundit has given his reaction to reports that winger Callum Roberts is set to return to Meadow Lane.

Notts County are preparing for life back in League One after winning promotion from League Two.

Notts County missed out on automatic promotion on the final day of the campaign, but they responded well to that setback by beating local rivals Chesterfield 1-0 on aggregate in their play-off semi-final, with Jayden Luker's goal in the first leg at the SMH Group Stadium settling a tight tie.

The Magpies went on to secure their return to League One for the first time since 2015 with a 3-0 win over Salford City in the final at Wembley on Monday, with goals from Alassana Jatta, Lucas Ness and Jodi Jones sealing an emphatic victory for Martin Paterson's side.

Notts may only have sealed promotion a few days ago, but it seems they are already closing in on their first signing of the summer, with journalist Pete O'Rourke revealing that the club are set to re-sign winger Callum Roberts after his departure from Scunthorpe United.

Roberts previously scored 22 goals and provided six assists in 58 appearances during a two-and-a-half year spell with the Magpies after arriving from Blyth Spartans in January 2020, but he departed Meadow Lane to join Scottish side Aberdeen in July 2022.

After making just four appearances during a frustrating stint at Pittodrie, Roberts returned to English football the following summer with then National League North side Scunthorpe United, where he went on to score 44 goals and register 21 assists in 107 games over the next three years.

Roberts helped the Iron to a fifth-placed finish in the National League this season, scoring 19 goals during another productive campaign, but after Andy Butler's men failed to achieve promotion, he turned down the offer of a new contract at the Attis Arena and is on the verge of a return to his former club.

Notts County questioned for Callum Roberts deal as Meadow Lane reunion looms

When asked for his reaction to the imminent return of Roberts, FLW's Notts County fan pundit Gareth Parr claimed that the winger could be a useful player to have in the squad in League One, but he admitted that he might have been better suited to a club in League Two, such as newly-promoted York City.

"To be honest, Roberts being at Notts is really before my time from when I got involved again with the club via my wife," Gareth admitted to FLW.

"But it seems he's well respected by a lot of the fans, especially on social media.

"They seem to suggest he could be a decent squad addition, especially with losing Jayden Luker, Tom Iorpenda and Tyrese Hall back to their parent clubs, so there will obviously be a gap.

"There also seems to have been a bit of a murmur about the future of Matthew Dennis at Notts, he seems to have been really off it the last six months for whatever reason. That seems to have boiled down to him becoming a bit out of favour and only selected if really necessary, and Roberts could provide some cover there.

"Is stepping up two divisions too far? Would he be better off at somewhere like York or Rochdale? It's difficult to say. He could definitely do a job at York.

"As far as Notts are concerned, there are going to be gaps, especially in midfield and the attacking areas, so there's definitely potential for him to fit in as a squad player.

"His experience will always be a benefit, especially at a club that is looking to promote and develop younger players."

Callum Roberts could be a shrewd signing for Notts County on one condition

Roberts was one of the standout players in the National League this season for Scunthorpe, and he certainly deserves an opportunity in the EFL, but it remains to be seen whether he will be able to make the step up to League One.

Notts County have progressed significantly since Roberts' departure four years ago, so some supporters may question why the club are turning back to a player they had on their books during their non-league days, particularly as upgrades to the squad are required for the third tier.