Curle's transfer budget unaffected by fans setback but Cobblers could face 'challenge' to offload players

Keith Curle's transfer budget for the final couple of weeks of the summer window will not be affected by the news that fans can't return to stadiums next month.

Although the first few matches of the season were always going to be behind closed doors, it had been hoped that supporters would be back in reduced numbers from October 1st.

But the government confirmed on Tuesday that plans for crowds to return have been 'paused' in another blow to cash-strapped EFL clubs.

However, despite already signing 10 players this summer, Cobblers chairman Kelvin Thomas confirmed he will give the green light for Curle to continue adding to his squad prior to the deadline on October 5th.

He did warn, though, that clubs could encounter difficulties when trying to offload players if the National League season doesn't start on time.

"I think we're still looking at bringing in a defender and a forward but there is going to be a challenge, which doesn't necessarily impact us as much because we set our budget up in a way that accommodated this," said Thomas.

"Some clubs would have made decisions on signing players based on other players going out and I think if anything below League Two doesn't start up, clubs in League One and Two will face challenges in finding somewhere for those players to go.

"We don't have a massive squad but there are a couple of players that will probably struggle for playing time once injured players return and if we bring in another couple. They may ask to leave but that will be a bit more of a challenge with players not being able to go into non-league.

"That will have an impact, how much of an impact I don't know, but it will definitely effect some clubs in League One and League Two.

"But we have money in the budget and we're not changing that after Tuesday's news because we intend to see that through."