Backe has identified eight key players to Magpies' hopes

NOTTS County boss Hans Backe has not got a 'best 11' because his squad is so strong, he said today.

But the Swede has identified eight players he believes are key to the Magpies' promotion hopes in League Two, after only just over three weeks in charge.

Notts hope to extend their eight-game unbeaten home record in League Two against Aldershot at Meadow Lane today.

And Backe said: "It's a rather even squad, I would say, the depth is good.

"We could see that against Bury when we lost Johnnie Jackson and Ben Davies, normally two central midfield players for us.

"Jamie Clapham went in and did excellently.

"I think it's not easy to say this is my starting 11. Of course, I have seven or eight names who will be in there.

"But otherwise it is pretty even between them."

The Magpies have drawn Backe's opening two league games since taking charge at Meadow Lane, against Shrewsbury Town and Bury.

They have drawn five of their last six league games and have slipped to sixth in the table.

"We need to get into a winning period, I would say," added Backe.

"If you have a look at the players we have for midfield and up front they can do something by themselves and Lee Hughes is always good for 15 or 20 goals.

"These games coming up, with Aldershot and Rochdale (on Tuesday night), are key games for us to take the step into the top-three and go on from there.

"Everything looks okay for us, we are training very well, so we have to be positive about our possibilities."

Notts drew 3-3 in a thrilling game at Bury seven days ago.

"I would be happy with more goals," said Backe.

"We can always score, I have the feeling after three games.

"We have to look at the way we defend because we gambled a little bit too much at the back and played too high up in the first half at Bury.

"It's small detail and it shouldn't be any problem."