Saints could face managerless opposition this Saturday, after Craig Short was sacked as manager of Notts County on Sunday afternoon.

Saints are due to make the trip to Meadow Lane in six days time, but the Magpies will be without a boss unless they move quickly to replace Short, who has paid the price for a less than convincing start to his tenure at the ambitious club after joining in June.

County are currently 16th in npower League One following yesterday's 2-1 defeat at Colchester.

Short was appointed as successor to Steve Cotterill, who parted ways to take charge at Portsmouth having led County to promotion from League Two back in May.

A statement on County's official website, www.nottscountyfc.co.uk, read: “Following a board meeting convened this morning, the board decided to review the current status of the first-team.

“Following this review it was decided to make changes to the first-team management.

“Consequently, first-team manager Craig Short and assistant manager Dave Kevan have been relieved of their duties with immediate effect.

“The board wishes to thank them both for all of their endeavours while at Notts County and wish them well for the future.

“There will be no further statement at this time.”

Short's only previous management position was in charge of Hungarian side Ferencvaros, whom he led between November 2009 and May 2010.