Cobblers boss Page concentrating on recruitment following Holmes departure

The new Town manager has endured a tricky start to life in charge at Sixfields, with key players leaving the club.

Ricky Holmes was the latest to head for pastures new this week as he was sold to Charlton Athletic, and he follows Nicky Adams, who left for Carlisle United on a free transfer, and Danny Rose, who turned down the offer of a new contract to sign for Portsmouth.

Page is relaxed about what has happened and taken the departures in his stride.

He admits he expected some key players to leave in spite of his and the club’s attempts to keep them, and his focus is concentrating on those who want to play for the Cobblers.

“We knew we had to do business, and we knew some players would be leaving the football club, but it’s about bringing the right people in,” said the Cobblers boss.

Recruitment is everything to Page as he prepares for his first season as Northampton manager, and to date three players have come into the club in the shape of young full-backs Aaron Phillips and Raheem Hanley, and experienced striker Alex Revell.

There are going to be several new signings as the squad is still light at 18, or 19 if you include Paddy Kenny, with the Town boss admitting he may still bring in as many as five more players.

Page is believed to be in talks with an experienced central defender with international experience, and further signings are expected ahead of the squad returning for pre-season training on July 1.

Asked what the squad size may be, Page said: “It could be 23 or 24, but we haven’t really set a number on it as we don’t want to put ourselves under that pressure.

“We will need a big squad because of the rule change with the loans, we have to go window to window and we don’t want to leave ourselves short.

“We will look at the numbers as we go, and if we feel we need to go with 23 or 24 then we will do it.

“What’s important to me is that I am bringing the right type of character, and also quality to the squad.”