Adams reluctant to play without fans but accepts it might be the only solution to finish season

Cobblers club captain Nicky Adams says he would be reluctant to play behind closed doors but accepts it might be the only way to finish the current season.

The Cobblers had nine games remaining when the Sky Bet League Two campaign was suspended on March 13 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The EFL, FA and Premier League continue to meet regularly to discuss how they can finish the season, with EFL chairman Rick Parry confirming last week that matches are likely to be put behind closed doors and streamed live.

Playing without supporters in the stands will be a strange feeling for Adams but he admits it might have to be done to get the season finished.

He said: "If I wasn't a professional player I'd be paying in the park with my mates in front of nobody anyway! That's just the way I am and I think a lot of players are like that.

"But when you're a professional footballer, you get excited by a matchday and playing in front of fans because they're a massive part of it and we're in a good position, in the play-offs, going into the final few games.

"There'll be pressure and excitement in the remaining games but imagine if there's a last-minute winner and there's no-one there to celebrate with?

"Obviously it'd mean a lot to me and all of my team-mates and the staff because we've worked hard all the way through the season so we'd celebrate that.

"But the fans are a huge part and they deserve to be there and witness it. They've got to take into consideration what's going on and the rules and regulations but if we have to play behind closed doors, of course we'll do it.

"Everyone wants to see the season finished but it's not ideal, for me. I want the fans there and it's also not great for clubs because they'll lose a lot of money and we go back to the financial problems - would it put clubs in danger of going out of business?

"Fans will be able to come back and enjoy football again next season because sport is a massive part of so many people's lives. It keeps them going and it's not just football, it's all sports."