NOTTS County only have two fit centre-backs for today's game at Hereford United.

But Magpies' boss Hans Backe is backing Graeme Lee and Mike Edwards to be the perfect partnership against their physical opponents.

Captain John Thompson is suspended after being booked for the fifth time this season in the 4-0 win against Darlington on Tuesday night.

And Stephen Hunt is still out injured.

It means Notts are stretched at the back for the trip to Edgar Street.

But Backe is still targeting a third straight win, after victories at Bournemouth in the FA Cup and Darlington in League Two, to propel them up the table.

He said: "We just have Daniel Jones as a defender on the bench. Without Hunt and Thompson, we have no centre-backs.

"If we get an injury it will have to be Brendan Moloney that has to play in that position.

"You can survive one game and Stephen will be back for the next game and Thompson will be available again.

"For one game it's not a problem.

"It's a chance for Eddy to show what he can do again.

"Graeme Lee and Edwards have a chance to do a perfect job, they have been solid when they have played together.

"They are rather the same characters as centre-backs, they are strong players and good tacklers.

"They will be perfect against a team like Hereford.

"They have a strong physical style and the pitch will probably not be the best, but we have to cope."