Boss Brady believes Roberts and Jones still have a Cobblers chance

Morgan Roberts failed to make a League start in his three years at the Cobblers

The pair's existing deals run out at the end of next month, and they were not among the players to be offered new terms by boss Jon Brady last week.

They are well thought of though, and have been offered the chance to return in pre-season to train with the first team squad, as it is clear the Town manager feels the pair have something to offer.

But with 10 players already under contract for next season, and three others being offered deals, Brady knows he has to be careful with his recruitment.

Alex Jones has been offered the chance to get take part in pre-season with the Cobblers

The squad limit for League Two clubs next season is 21 squad players over the age of 21, and both players fall into that category.

"There is more in there with those players two, but that is what has been offered to them," said Brady of the decision to ask them back for pre-season.

"With Morgan, I have known him for a number of years and I believe he can get in our side, but we will see.

"The same with Alex as well.

"He had been out of the game for a long time as a player, and I think he needs a good pre-season under his belt, so he has been offered that."

Left-sided player Roberts was offered a three-year contract by then manager Dean Austin in the summer of 2018 having graduated through the club's youth system under Brady, and hopes were high he would break through to the first team.

But he found his chances limited under the management of Keith Curle, making just two starts and 15 substitute appearances over those three years.

His two starts came in the FA Cup loss at non-League Oxford City last November, and the EFL Trophy win at Exeter City in December, while just six of his appearances off the bench for Curle were in league two.

Striker Jones was signed as a free agent in March, with the former Port Vale and Bradford City man having not played since February 2020.

He netted within seconds of coming off the bench for his debut in the 2-1 defeat at Charlton Athletic in March, but never scored again.

Jones wasn't handed a first start until the 3-1 derby defeat Peterborough United in April, but impressed with his hold up play and then began the following three games before missing the final day trip to Sunderland.