Ollie Norburn is set to make a return to League Two for the first time in over a decade to play for Notts County this upcoming season.

The four-time Grenada international was released at the end of his contract by Blackpool following an injury-filled season, which saw him make just 18 League One starts in the 2024/25 campaign.

A hamstring injury in September took him out for two months, and Blackpool loaned him out to fellow third-tier side Wigan Athletic after he struggled to get back in the team. The 32-year-old enjoyed a decent run in the starting eleven for the Latics before an Achilles injury ruled him out for the final eight games of the campaign.

Wigan boss Ryan Lowe revealed in April that he “wasn’t sure” how long the injury would take, so it could be said that Notts County are taking a risk in bringing the midfielder in.

But FLW’s Notts County fan pundit, Gareth Parr, believes that this risk could pay off, with the club’s arguably most important player, Jodi Jones, having been signed with a similar injury history.

Notts County “desperately need” an experienced head this summer

Despite the question marks surrounding Ollie Norburn’s fitness, Parr believes that bringing in a ten-plus-year veteran will help fill the void left by David McGoldrick’s departure.

“Notts desperately need some experience in the changing room, especially after David McGoldrick didn’t extend his contract,” he said.

However, after suffering an injury to his Achilles, which ultimately sees some careers shortened, Parr had to acknowledge that this could be an issue.

He continued: “The only downside is his Achilles injury. Notts have been caught out in the past with players like Dan Gosling, who never made an impact after coming to us with an injury history.

“But we’ve also had some success with taking on injured players such as Jodi Jones, who came from Oxford with a long-term knee injury, and Notts were able to rehab him throughout, and now he’s a critical player for the club.

“If we can manage his injury well and get him fit, he’s definitely a positive to have due to his experience, especially on a free transfer.”

Ollie Norburn is a great pick-up for Notts County – he could follow in Jodi Jones’ footsteps

Parr referenced Jodi Jones when discussing Norburn’s current injury problems, and if the 32-year-old has as much of an impact at Meadow Lane as the 27-year-old Maltese international, Notts County will be a tough team to beat next season.

Jones arrived at the club having played a combined 22 league games in four-and-a-half seasons for both Coventry City and Oxford United after suffering three cruciate knee ligament injuries.

However, at Notts County, he was able to find his fitness and produced an English record 24 assists in his first season back in the EFL in the 2023/24 campaign, winning the League Two player of the season along the way.

Norburn’s injury has come a bit later on in his career, and depending on how serious the Achilles injury is, it may be difficult for him to regain the level he used to be at.

However, let’s not forget that he was Blackpool’s captain during the 2023/24 campaign, and has enjoyed a career which has accumulated nearly 300 EFL appearances.

For a side battling for League Two promotion this upcoming season, having even a 75% Ollie Norburn will give them a huge boost in the middle of the park if they can keep him fit for the majority of the campaign.