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Martin Paterson makes Notts County admission ahead of Burnley cup tie Martin Paterson admits Notts County are “light” on numbers ahead of Burnley cup clash Former Claret Martin Paterson admits his Notts County side are “light” on numbers heading into their Carabao Cup tie against Burnley. The Magpies provide the first opposition of Burnley’s season as Saturday’s first round tie at Turf Moor, rather than a league game, kicks off the 2026/27 campaign. Paterson’s side, who won promotion to League One via the play-offs last season, finished their pre-season with a goalless draw against fourth tier side Walsall at the weekend. Speaking after the game, Paterson spoke of his desire to bolster his squad due to a lack of numbers. “We’ve got a real mixed bag of players and we need players in,” he told BBC Radio Nottingham. “I’ve got to be careful, because I thought the attitude in moments was good. I don’t think it was attitude in moments where we were poor, I thought it was intensity and fitness levels. I think we need to be fitter, especially in League One when we’re playing against better teams. “We’re light. I have to tell the truth, we’re light. We know that we’re unique and we have an ownership group and a recruitment team that have the ins and the outs. “My job is to coach the team as best as I can every single day, but we’re light, I can say that. We need players, for sure. “I’m always hopeful [of getting players in before Saturday’s game].” Paterson returns to Turf Moor to manage against a club he spent five years with as a player between 2008 and 2013. Despite enjoying his time in East Lancashire, the former striker is fully focused on the job at hand. “I’ve been back to scout games at Turf Moor, in fact I believe I’ve been back one time,” he added. “But you know what hat I wear right now, my household is a Notts County household. Subscribe now for HALF PRICE and catch every minute of our Clarets coverage this season - from pre-season to the final whistle. Click here “I’ve just told the players: ‘be ready’, because we’ve got to do a lot of work to be competitive. “Now, I’ve never promised anything in my tenure other than hard work and trying to get the team competitive. “This year, to manage expectations, we’re going up a level so organically it’s going to be harder and my message to the players and to everyone else is that we’re going to need belief and we’re going to need our fantastic support that we’ve had since I’ve been here. We’re going to need them more than anyone will know. “If we hit a road bump and we hit a bit of turbulence, no problem. Keep working and stick together.”