Manager Paul Ince issues warning to Notts County squad

Ince is yet to win a league game as Notts County manager

Notts County manager Paul Ince has issued a warning to his players after their fourth league defeat in a row.

The former Blackburn and MK Dons boss has presided over three of the losses, and County are now three points adrift in the League One relegation zone.

Ince told BBC Radio Nottingham: "I don't think we have the quality, and to bring players in, you have to get players out.

"As things stand it is going to be a tough time."

The Magpies' latest defeat came at the weekend as they were beaten 1-0 at home by Tranmere Rovers.

I looked at the average age of the squad and it's 27 - that's not good and we need to lower that

Paul Ince

It left County 21st in the table, three points behind Plymouth, the team just outside the drop zone, although Ince's men do have a game in hand.

The former Manchester United and England midfielder has made four signings since taking over at Meadow Lane last month; former Reading defender Sam Sodje, teenage midfielder Thomas Ince (Ince's son) and defender Stephen Darby, both on two-month loan deals from Liverpool, and most recently, Middlesbrough striker Lee Miller, on loan until January.

"We want to bring in quality players like Lee Miller, we are talking about a near million-pound player here and that's the quality we want," added Ince.

"We need that all over the park and that can only happen if we start moving players out.

"I looked at the average age of the squad and it's 27 - that's not good and we need to lower that."

County are next in action on Tuesday night as Swindon visit Meadow Lane, before Bournemouth follow in the FA Cup four days later.