Something Special For The Weekend? Kyle Wants County To Be A Cut Above

He may not need it, but Notts County desperately do require a new look when it comes to being live on the box.

Not since beating Bury just short of seven years ago have the Magpies been television stars, leaving fans watching from behind their sofas.

Something for the weekend? Now's the time to be a cut above, not camera shy.

So was Wootton getting his hair in order to change their luck, or to make sure he’s looking his best on BT Sport’s super HD?

“Neither!” he laughed. “I actually get my hair cut every week. My barber is a good friend of mine, and coming to see him is just something I’ve always done.

“So it’s not just so I’m looking good for the cameras, I promise you!

“It’s clearly a big game for everyone connected with the club. You always want to beat your rivals so it’s one we need to win.

“Someone told me earlier in the week about the club’s record when we are live on the TV. I just said ‘no, don’t tell me that!’

“It’s been a while since we won with them there clearly but there’s no better time to break that bad run. We’ve got to make sure we take our chances when they come our way and use the atmosphere to our advantage.”

With transfer deadline day dominating the sports scene, this bit of January business was a big thing for Notts fans.

Wootton was well loved after coming on loan from Scunthorpe United but fears were growing he wasn’t coming back in the New Year.

Neal Ardley knew he just had to and eventually managed to make it a permanent arrangement. With 11 National League goals to his name already, you can understand why they were so keen.

Things were looking up in the summer. Handed the Scunthorpe number nine shirt, the forward thought his chance to make a big impression.

The 23-year-old has been an Iron player since 2014, but when Notts borrowed him last year they were the sixth loan club of a young career.

So was that behind his decision to sign?

“There were a few things but it is nice to have that stability now,” he said. “I’ve been out on loan a number of times and picked up some great experience but this just felt right for me - County are a very big club and it’s the type of place you want to play at.

“The manager (Paul Hurst) was open with me. He said I am more than welcome to stay and fight for my place but he couldn’t promise me regular football.

“At my age I need to be playing so when the chance came up to make the loan move a full-time one then I had to take it.

“Sometimes things don’t go the way you expect in football, but it’s about looking forward now and helping get the club back to where they belong.”

Notts have to set the record straight, losing 1-0 to Chesterfield back in October. County, though, have suffered only one defeat in ten at Meadow Lane.

But Wootton’s manager has issues. Captain Michael Doyle is suspended, while goalkeeper Sam Slocombe, defender Ben Turner and midfielder Regan Booty are out. Zoumana Bakayogo has also picked up an injury.

The forward added: “The game means a lot to the fans and we’ve got to get back to winning ways.

“We’ve been good at home this season so we need to make sure we’re on our game this weekend and get the three points which will really help our changes of promotion.”