Notts County ready to splash cash on Andre Boucaud

The Magpies banked around £40,000 from their 2-0 first round win at League One rivals Portsmouth and boss Keith Curle is going to be given all of it by chairman Ray Trew to spend in the transfer market.

Notts originally wanted to extend the loan of midfielder Boucaud, 28, from non-league Luton Town from January until the end of the season, but the Hatters have vetoed any longer loan deal.

The clubs are now in talks about a permanent move – and Notts’ Cup windfall could come in handy.

“We’ve been told right from the off by the chairman that all the money we generate from cup runs or transfers will go into rebuilding the squad,” said Curle.

Boucaud has started 11 of the Magpies’ 15 league games this season, scoring one goal, and Luton also let him play for Notts in the Cup at Fratton Park.

He wants to stay at Meadow Lane and Curle added: “The negotiations will take place between Jim Rodwell and their chief executive and we’ll find out the best deal we can get.”

Curle also believes Notts are in a strong position to strike a deal.

“They don’t want to be saddled with a player for the rest of the season and then have to pay his wages in May, June and July, which is his entitlement,” he added.

Notts are also waiting to find out if they will be able to extend the loan of defender Ashley Eastham from Blackpool.

Curle spoke to Ian Holloway about keeping the young centre-back, whose one-month loan ends this week, but Holloway has now left Blackpool to take charge at Crystal Palace.

“We’ll deal with that as and when we need to,” said Curle.

Francois Zoko and Yoann Arquin scored against Pompey to put Notts into the second round of the Cup where they will face League Two Rotherham away.

“It was a good professional performance,” said Curle. “It’s not an easy place to go, but we were solid at the back to keep a clean sheet and scored two good goals.”