Notts' McGoldrick out injured for rest of play-offs

David McGoldrick is out of contract in the summer

David McGoldrick will miss what remains of Notts County's League Two play-off campaign because of injury.

The 37-year-old former Republic of Ireland striker, who has netted 17 times this season, limped off the pitch in stoppage time of the Magpies' 1-0 semi-final first-leg defeat by AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.

The injury means Notts are without both their top two scorers for the second leg after leading marksman Alassana Jatta was shown a straight red card soon after McGoldrick's exit for a two-footed tackle on Alistair Smith.

The length of Jatta's ban is yet to be determined with The Gambia international also charged by the Football Association for violent behaviour after he clashed with rival players following his sending-off.

With McGoldrick and Jatta out after scoring a combined 39 goals in all competitions this term, Notts head coach Stuart Maynard said the East Midlands side will "change tactically" for Saturday's second leg at Plough Lane.

"We don't have that focal point and we will have to look at it in a different way with a different approach," Maynard told BBC East Midlands Today.

With McGoldrick's contract up in the summer, the injury could end his time with his boyhood club.

He has, however, previously said he was determined to earn a new deal at Meadow Lane.

The former Sheffield United, Ipswich Town, Nottingham Forest, Southampton and Derby County striker has scored 30 goals since returning to the Magpies for a third spell in the summer of 2023.

Maynard has described McGoldrick as "Superman" in the past and said losing him for what remains of the season is "very disappointing".

"He has been excellent for us all season," Maynard continued.

"He has just got magic. He has more quality than the level, he has top-end quality and we have seen that with his goals all season.

"If you take Didzy out of any team up and down the country, I think they are going to miss him.

"It's down to us now, someone else comes in and gets an opportunity and I think we still have magic within our group and the top end of the pitch."

And while McGoldrick, whose exact injury has not been specified by the club, will not be able to play any further part in the play-offs, he will be relied on elsewhere.

"I still think he has a key part to play off the pitch now around the lads," Maynard said. "His presence, being about the place, is excellent."