The Town first team are due to play a mixed youth and reserve side in a behind-closed-doors game at Sixfields.

It was hoped Akinfenwa – who has sat out the bulk of the pre-season schedule through injury – would get some game time under his belt in the game.

But the powerhouse striker, who many regard as vital to the team's Coca-Cola League One ambitions, will not be risked.

Midfielder Luke Guttridge, with whom manager Stuart Gray is still thrashing out the terms of a contract, will feature.

But Akinfenwa must now wait until another training game – at Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday – before he can start to build up some match sharpness.

"Giles Coke and Danny Jackman will hopefully play some part in the game
but Bayo won't," confirmed Gray.

"We've missed Bayo in the pre-season campaign because last season everyone saw what his attributes were and what he brought to the team.

"You need a focal point and although Leon (Constantine) has tried to do that, I think he will work better alongside Bayo.

"When he's fit we will probably win a lot more free-kicks around the box because he's very strong on the ball, and that will help us keep it in good areas."