JEFF Hughes, the leading scorer for Notts County so far this season, has trained this week after recovering from a slight hamstring injury.

The midfielder, 26, was sidelined for the Magpies' last league game against Walsall, but he has made a swift return, which is a huge boost for the club because he has been in fine form throughout this campaign and has scored 13 goals.

Notts assistant manager Carl Muggleton said: "Jeff had a slight hamstring problem, but he's been back training this week, which is a boost. We will keep monitoring him to see how he progresses and we'll see how it goes.

"We've got other players coming back too so the squad is getting stronger again."

Hughes has so far only missed the Magpies' 1-0 victory at the Bescot Stadium because their league game against Stevenage last Saturday was postponed due to a frozen pitch.

It looks almost certain tomorrow's game at Rochdale will also be postponed, though Notts are hopeful their game against Exeter City at Meadow Lane on Tuesday will go ahead.

The Magpies are unbeaten in their last three league games so Muggleton admits the enforced break has come at the worst time.

"It's a little bit frustrating because we've been playing well and producing good performances," he said. "We won at Walsall and we've kept a couple of clean-sheets, but we are carrying on with our work, being positive and preparing as normal as if the games are going to be on.

"The break has given us a chance to keep working on our play and trying to improve and we need to be ready to go again whenever it is we play and build on the win at Walsall."