AFTER returning from the north-east coast, Tommy Johnson joked Notts County barely had time to complete a head count of players before jumping back on their team bus for the south coast and tonight's game at Bournemouth.

Johnson, who is working alongside caretaker boss Dave Kevan, was pleased with the 1-0 win at Grimsby Town on Saturday, and has challenged the players to extend their winning run in League Two to five games at Dean Court.

He said: "We're flying at the minute. It was a hard game on Saturday, a real battle. There were a few tackles flying around.

"But we came through it and as soon as it was over, we were thinking of this game.

"We had time to have a body count and make sure everybody was OK, and get on the road again.

"We have got 19 bodies. We had a couple of knocks but everyone is going to be fit which is good because we haven't got enough players to rest anybody!

"Eddy (Mike Edwards) rolled his ankle but the ones who had knocks were in early yesterday and are all right.

"We travelled down last night because it's a long way and they need their rest before a game."

Notts have risen to fourth in the table, with 12 points out of 12.

"At the minute the confidence is sky high, the lads are going out believing they are going to win every game," added Johnson.

"Everybody is playing really well, and it's such a tight group.

"We want to get into the top three as soon as we can and stay there. It would be nice to be in there in the next few games.

"It could happen if we keep winning and other teams drop points. We are going to have a blip somewhere along the way, but hopefully not.

"We said before the Dagenham and Barnet games we wanted six points and we did it, and we said the same before Saturday that we want six points from Grimsby and Bournemouth."

Bournemouth are seven points above Notts, in second place.

"They have done well," said Johnson. "They are in a the same predicament as us, they can't get players in.

"But they are still in the top three and nobody expected them to be there."