NOTTS County's big derby against Chesterfield tonight is a 'make-or-break' game, said Ricky Ravenhill today.

The visit of the Spireites is the first of five home games the Magpies have against their promotion rivals in League Two before the end of April.

They also face Bournemouth next Monday night, Rotherham on March 27, Bury on April 3 and Rochdale on April 20.

Ravenhill believes games against those teams will ultimately decide if Notts win promotion this season.

He said: "They are more significant games because they are the teams around us.

"They are six-point games; games against teams at the top will make or break our season.

"If you want to do well you have to pick up points against teams around you, and that's what we will be hoping to do, starting tonight."

The Magpies have won the first three games under new boss Steve Cotterill, against Hereford, Macclesfield and Accrington.

"We wanted to make a good start and we pinpointed those games as ones we should win to get a run going," added Ravenhill.

"We want to keep it going into the so-called bigger games."

Cotterill knows the game against Chesterfield could be his biggest test so far.

Notts lost 2-1 to the Spireites at Saltergate in August as Jamie Lowry scored two late penalties.

Cotterill has challenged his players to show the same attitude and commitment they did in their last three victories.

"It very much depends on the bounce of the ball," he said.

"We have worked hard in the last three games and if we apply ourselves in the same manner, there is a good chance we will win tonight."

Cotterill said defender Stephen Hunt is "very close" to being fit, after missing the 3-0 win at Accrington with a hamstring problem.

"He was in the oxygen chamber last week, yesterday and he will be in it again today," he said.

"It 100% works so hopefully it has speeded up the healing process for him."