Cobblers boss Page not ruling out Sixfields return for Toney

Northampton’s players returned to work today (Thursday) as they reported back for pre-season training, with Page looking forward to really getting stuck into life as the Cobblers manager after the summer break.

Appointed a week after the early-May departure of Chris Wilder, Page has spent the past six weeks rejigging the squad at Sixfields with several players heading for the exit, and six entering the building so far.

Page is ‘delighted’ with the signings he has made in conjunction with head of recruitment Andy Melville and chairman Kelvin Thomas to date, but finishing touches still need to be made, mainly to the options in the attacking third.

Wide men Ricky Holmes and Nicky Adams have yet to be replaced, while despite the arrival of targetman Alex Revell, another centre forward is on the wish-list due to loan players John Marquis and James Collins both departing.

And Page admits striker Toney, who was sold by the Cobblers to Newcastle United for a fee in the region of £300,000 last summer, could be an option to return as a long-term loan player if he is made available by his club.

Toney was loaned out to league one Barnsley by the Magpies last season, and asked if he is a player that could interest him, Page said: “I think that’s a natural one as he has been part of the football club and gone on to bigger things.

“We have watched his career, and I certainly know about him from last season from his time at Barnsley, and it is an obvious name to mention. He is a fantastic talent, but I think he is one of two or three that are out there that tickle our fancy at the minute.

“We have to make sure we get the right person in, whether that’s Toney or somebody else, as long as the player is coming in to benefit this football club, that’s the aim.”

Page has yet to take up any long-term loan options for the new season, and it is an avenue he is likely to go down to add the extra quality he wants to bring into the squad.

But the Welshman is not in any sort of rush, and says he could well take his time over putting together the final few pieces of the jigsaw.

“We have plenty of time now because the bulk of the recruitment is done,” said the Cobblers boss.

“We are not panicking at all, and credit to Andy Melville and Kelvin Thomas for what we have been able to do, and the business we have been able to do I am really pleased with.”