Northampton Town welcome Carlisle back for Wimbledon trip

Clarke Carlisle is available for selection for the Cobblers’ trip to AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday night.

The central defender missed the weekend win at Southend United through illness but will train with the team this week and be added to the midweek matchday squad.

Chris Hackett, who was on the receiving end of Bilel Mohsni’s high challenge during the win at Roots Hall, completed the game and will play at Kingsmeadow.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

No new injuries were sustained at Southend, leaving David Artell, Alex Nicholls and Nana - who sustained the knee injury that continues to keep him out in the team’s most recent visit to Wimbledon, 17 months ago - as the only absentees.

Carlisle’s return presents manager Aidy Boothroyd with a selection dilemma in central defence, where Ben Tozer and ever-present skipper Kelvin Langmead performed to a high standard last time out.

Full-backs John Johnson and Lee Collins, making his full debut, also enjoyed good games at the weekend and earned significant praise from their manager.

“I thought they were terrific on Saturday,” said Boothroyd. “They’ve not played a lot of football between them but they’re like having the Kray twins at full-back.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“They are horrible to play against, they have no fear whatsoever, they will head people’s heads and they’re both tidy footballers as well.

“They are emotionless too, which is what you need away from home.”