Ian Burchnall hopes Anthony Patterson will return to Notts County next week after admitting the goalkeeper has had to remain at Sunderland.
Patterson was due to resume the rest of his loan at Meadow Lane having been recalled by Sunderland after two goalkeepers contracted Covid.
But Lee Burge has suffered a setback in his recovery from the virus which has meant that Sunderland have had to keep Patterson at the Stadium of Light.
Sam Slocombe is now set to remain in goal for Notts but Burchnall is hoping Patterson will be heading back to Notts soon.
"We were expecting him this week, but there was a setback in the Sunderland side and we just have to be a little bit patient," said Burchnall.
"There's nothing too much that we can do. He won't be ready this weekend. But having had a good dialogue with Sunderland, I'm hoping that he is able to return early next week.
"That's what they've said. But again, so many things happen internally with training and players and fitness.
"And I think a setback to Lee Burge just meant that Patto just had to hold on and they just had to secure something that end.
"So at the moment we will go without Patto and we hope that he comes back next week.
"But, in the meantime, in the three games that we've missed with him, we've won all three.
"I think Sam's played well. So again, it's great competition in the squad."
Notts will be hoping to continue their excellent form in Patterson's absence which saw them secure a sixth successive win in all competitions against Eastleigh last weekend.
They face Barnet at Meadow Lane on Friday night as they look to keep up the heat on leaders Halifax with the Magpies having two games in hand on the Shaymen.
The clash against the Bees is sure to be an emotional occasion with the game being dedicated to Colin Slater MBE who died earlier this month aged 87.
The late BBC Nottingham commentator is regarded as a Magpies legend and Burchnall hopes his team can pay tribute to him in the best way possible by securing a win.
"The one thing that we want to do as a team is make sure that we honour that in the right way with a great performance," he said.
"That's what we can do from our position.
"He's obviously a legend around the club and a legend for many, many people.
"He means a lot to a lot of people.
"I think everything around the game will be an honour to him and then it's our responsibility to make sure that we we also do that honour on the pitch as well."
