Jatta starts: The predicted Notts County XI to face Salford City in play-off final | OneFootball

The predicted Notts County starting line-up for their play-off final against Salford City at Wembley on Monday.

Notts County take on Salford City in the League Two play-off final at Wembley on Monday afternoon.

For the second consecutive season, Notts County missed out on automatic promotion on the final day of the campaign as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Bristol Rovers at Meadow Lane, although with Cambridge United picking up a point at Crewe Alexandra, it would have been impossible for them to overhaul the U's even with a win due to their superior goal difference.

The Magpies responded well to that disappointment as they booked their place in the final with a 1-0 aggregate victory over local rivals Chesterfield in their play-off semi-final, with Jayden Luker's goal in the first leg at the SMH Group Stadium proving decisive.

Like Notts, Salford also suffered final day heartbreak as they failed to secure an automatic promotion spot after a 0-0 draw at Crawley Town, and it was even more agonising for Karl Robinson's side, who knew that a single goal would have been enough to move them up to third.

While the Magpies' play-off semi-final was tight, the Ammies secured their place at Wembley with a thrilling 4-3 aggregate win over Grimsby Town, with Kallum Cesay's goal deep into stoppage time in the second leg at the Penisula Stadium eventually seeing off the spirited Mariners.

As Notts prepare to face Salford under the arch with promotion to League One on the line, we predicted how Martin Paterson's side could line up.

GK: James Belshaw

Goalkeeper James Belshaw spent the first half of this season with Harrogate Town, but despite the fact his former club were embroiled in a relegation battle, his impressive performances at the Exercise Stadium earned him a dream move to Notts County in January.

Belshaw, who is a boyhood Magpies fan, has established himself as Paterson's number one since his winter arrival, keeping eight clean sheets in 24 appearances so far, and he seems certain to start between the sticks at Wembley.

CB: Jacob Bedeau

Defender Jacob Bedeau is another player that Notts County picked up from the lower reaches of League Two, with the 26-year-old joining from Morecambe in the summer of 2024.

Bedeau has been an ever-present for the Magpies this season, starting every single one of their games in all competitions, so he will likely be one of the first names on Paterson's team-sheet against Salford.

CB: Rod McDonald

Like Belshaw, Rod McDonald was also recruited from Harrogate Town, with Notts County bringing the experienced defender to Meadow Lane alongside Bedeau in the summer of 2024.

McDonald has made just 25 appearances during an injury-disrupted season, but after returning to fitness sooner than expected, he captained the Magpies in both of their semi-final legs against Chesterfield, and he should lead the team out once again at Wembley.

CB: Lucas Ness

After a series of non-league loan spells, defender Lucas Ness departed Charlton Athletic to join Notts County in the summer of 2024.

Ness missed the opening months of this season due to injury, but he has been an important part of the Magpies' side in the second half of the campaign, and he looks set to complete Paterson's three-man defence against Salford.

WB: Jodi Jones

Having been part of the Notts County team that won promotion from the National League in 2023, winger Jodi Jones will be hoping for another memorable day out at Wembley on Monday.

Jones may not quite have hit the same heights as 2023-24 when he set a new English league record for the most assists in a single season, but he has still produced some impressive numbers this campaign, scoring nine goals and providing six assists in 41 appearances.

CM: Scott Robertson

Midfielder Scott Robertson made the move to Notts County from fellow League Two side Fleetwood Town in January 2024.

It has been a frustrating season for Robertson, with injury problems limiting him to just 26 appearances in all competitions, but after making his comeback in the latter part of the regular season, he started both of the Magpies' semi-final legs against Chesterfield.

CM: Oliver Norburn

After spending the previous seven years in the Championship and League One with the likes of Shrewsbury Town, Peterborough United, Blackpool and Wigan Athletic, midfielder Oliver Norburn dropped into League Two when he joined Notts County in the summer.

Norburn has scored one goal and provided one assist in 39 appearances in all competitions during his first season at Meadow Lane, and the 33-year-old has also received two red cards, but Paterson will be relieved to have him available for his side's Wembley showdown.

WB: Nick Tsaroulla

In another ambitious move, Notts County convinced winger Nick Tsaroulla to leave Crawley Town in the summer of 2024 following their promotion to League One to remain in the fourth tier at Meadow Lane.

Tsaroulla has enjoyed a productive season for the Magpies, scoring four goals and providing six assists in 43 appearances in all competitions, and he will be looking to seal a second League Two play-off final victory in three seasons after his previous Wembley success with the Red Devils.

AM: Tom Iorpenda

Midfielder Tom Iorpenda had limited EFL experience under his belt when he joined Notts County on loan from Huddersfield Town in the summer, but he has certainly made a name for himself at Meadow Lane.

Iorpenda has scored three goals and registered eight assists in 52 appearances in all competitions for the Magpies this season, and the 21-year-old was nominated for the League Two Young Player of the Season award, but he was beaten to the prize by Walsall's Daniel Kanu.

AM: Jayden Luker

Notts County made further shrewd use of the loan market as they signed midfielder Jayden Luker from Luton Town, although the 21-year-old's spell at Meadow Lane has been severely disrupted by injury.

After almost six months on the sidelines with a serious knee injury, Luker made his return at the end of March, and having scored the crucial goal in the semi-final against Chesterfield, Paterson may decide to utilise him from the start once again at Wembley.