Cobblers could look at free agents after the transfer window closes

Alan Sheehan joined on a free in October.

Keith Curle says the Cobblers could potentially dip back into the free agent market once the January transfer window closes at 11pm this evening.

Town have already snapped up three unattached players this season, signing Alan Sheehan and Ricky Holmes within a week of one another in the autumn before Lloyd Jones penned a short-term deal at the end of December.

Holmes has since departed after his contract was not renewed, but with spaces still free in his squad, Curle will look at who's available after tonight's deadline.

He said: "When the transfer window closes, the window opens for players that are out of contract and they can become a little bit like a unicorn and they are the most sought after players.

"We always have our finger on the pulse. There will be some players who meet with their parent clubs today that might accept to terminate their contract to get themselves a headstart before the end of the season.

"There will be a lot of players out of contract at the end of the season and they will all be fishing for a contract so some might make themselves available now and go out and play games and showcase their ability.

"We've shown good housekeeping with our numbers which means we do have room available if we see an opportunity."

Asked if he's experienced any differences to the January transfer market compared to previous years following the pandemic, Curle said: "I think the finances have changed and everyone recognised that there needed to be a change when you see some of the astronomical amounts paid at the top end of the game.

"For the survival of clubs, there needed to be a restructuring and the logical starting point is at the bottom. If you can get your house in order, that will filter upwards.

"There are players currently who are earning good money, and I mean very good player, but aren't playing. I think there will be less and less of those players because they will realise that they want to play and they want to earn their money."