Transfer-listed Hackett a victim of change in Cobblers’ playing style

Hackett, along with midfielder John-Joe O’Toole, has been placed on the transfer list by Wilder who says that the player now doesn’t fit into the way the Cobblers operate.

“We changed our way of playing going into new year, and the form of Ricky Holmes and Lawson D’Ath has meant Chris hasn’t played a lot of football,” said the Cobblers boss

“He’s at an age where he wants and needs to play, and I can’t guarantee him that.

“He is a great lad with a great attitude, a great professional who will do somebody a job.

“Chris is maybe another one that doesn’t suit the way we play, with the flexibility in the movement that Lawson and Ricky have produced for us.

“Chris is a different type of player, more of an out and out right winger that gets his crosses in and takes his man on.

“We have asked the other two to play in a different way to what Chris is best at, but I have no doubt there will be a lot of people that will show an interest in Chris because he still has a lot to offer.

“He is still as fit as a fiddle, and player that has been knocking on my door every other week asking ‘why am I not playing?’

“But with the form of Ricky and Lawson it has been hard for Chris to break into the side and I know what I would be wanting to do at his age, I would be wanting to play regular first team football, and unfortunately I can’t offer him that.

“Every time Chris steps on the pitch he gives his all and is a great pro.

“I have known Chris a long time and these are not personal decisions, because Chris has had a really good career.

“I just need to make sure that I get the balance of the squad right, and get the players in the right spots for us to better our performances and results going into the new season.

Hackett joined the Cobblers in the summer of 2012, and has made 104 starts for the club as well as 25 substitute appearances, scoring 11 goals.