Cobblers boss Wilder hopeful on Potter fitness as Collins and Martin return for Morecambe date

HE'S BACK - Cobblers striker James Collins is available for Saturday's date with Morecambe after missing Tuesday night's FA Cup defeat at Milton Keynes Dons

Striker James Collins and midfielder Lee Martin will definitely return to the fold after missing the 3-0 midweek FA Cup defeat at Milton Keynes Dons due to being cup-tied, while the Town manager is hopeful Alfie Potter will also be fully fit.

Lawson D’Ath is still missing due to his groin strain, while Paul Corry remains sidelined.

Potter hasn’t featured for the Cobblers since the 1-0 win over Accrington on December 28 due to a rib injury, although he was named on the bench at stadiummk on Tuesday night.

But Wilder revealed today that the former Oxford United man wasn’t fit to play, and that he was included to boost the numbers on a bench that was already one light.

“We are hopeful on Alfie, and I know it has been an ongoing thing for the past couple of weeks,” said Wilder.

“He has had a couple of reactions, and he was down on the 17 on Tuesday as we were a little light on bodies.

“But he had a reaction late on in the afternoon, so we didn’t want to risk that, which left us light in numbers.

“For Saturday we obviously have James Collins back, we have Lee Martin back, and hopefully Alfie as well, but not Lawson D’Ath or Paul Corry.

“We were a little depleted on Tuesday, but we have two if not three big additions to boost our squad for the weekend.”

There were concerns that Ricky Holmes may have picked up a shin injury late in the game at Milton Keynes, but he is okay.

“Everybody came through the game on Tuesday and it was a tough old night for the players,” said Wilder, who only used one substitute and that was to give Ryan Cresswell a run-out in place of Zander Diamond for the last couple of minutes.

“They gave it their all and left everything out on the pitch in terms of energy, but we will look after them this week and hopefully give them the best opportunity of going out and getting a win and carrying on our magnificent league form.

“Our form over the past nine or 10 games has been fantastic and we are going to try and get another three points on the board.”