AFC Wimbledon boss Neal Ardley is wary of the attacking threat posed by Notts County as the Magpies prepare to fly down to Kingsmeadow this weekend.

County manager Ricardo Moniz is able to select former Premier League and England U21s striker Jon Stead and in-form Izale McLeod for Saturday’s clash in Kingston.

McLeod has banged in three goals in two games since signing for a fee of £100,000 from Crawley Town, who he scored 21 times for last term, and is full of confidence heading into tomorrow’s fixture.

Stead is also new to Notts fans but comes with considerable pedigree and attained cult status during a loan spell at Bradford City earlier this year as they shocked Chelsea and his old club Sunderland.

Ardley knows his defence will need to be on their guard against such a strong strikeforce while his own forward-line remains deprived of suspended summer signing Lyle Taylor.

Dons manager: Neal Ardley

He told Dons Player: “I think they’re a team that will get better as things go on.

“They signed Izale McLeod three weeks into the season and he hasn’t had a pre-season so they’ve got to get him up to speed but he’s not done badly so far, scoring three in two.

“When you can spend six figures on a forward that’s going to be a positive thing in this league. They’ve got Jon Stead as well so there’s no shortage of firepower.

“They’re very good going forward but they’ve had one or two issues at the back-line.”

Notts County have conceded 12 goals in seven league games, giving them the joint fourth worst record in League Two, and they will be without injured defensive duo Civard Sprockel and Elliott Hewitt.

Read more: Chelsea on the verge of agreement for AFC Wimbledon's Kingsmeadow.

poll loading

Have AFC Wimbledon improved from last season?