Cobblers face goalkeeping headache after Jeacock injury
Cobblers could be forced into signing an emergency goalkeeper this week depending on the severity of Zach Jeacock’s injury.
Jeacock, who joined Northampton on a season-long loan from Lincoln in the summer, has started every league game this season and was in the team for Saturday’s FA Cup tie at York City.
However, the 25-year-old injured himself in the process of trying to save Ollie Pearce’s volley just 10 seconds into the first round tie at the LNER Community Stadium. He required treatment for several minutes and initially attempted to carry on but admitted defeat after conceding a second goal. The problem appeared to be his left shoulder.
With back-up goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons unavailable, 22-year-old academy stopper James Dadge came on for just his second senior appearance for the club, conceding twice more on a forgettable afternoon for the club.
Because Dadge has played fewer than five senior matches, Cobblers would have the option to sign an emergency goalkeeper if both Fitzsimons and Jeacock are unavailable for next weekend’s league game at Salford City. It was thought that the fixture at Moor Lane might be postponed due to international call-ups but it is currently expected to go ahead, although that has not yet been confirmed.
EFL clubs are permitted to sign an emergency goalkeeper outside of the transfer window provided they have no senior number one available due to injury, suspension, or international duty. The EFL defines a senior goalkeeper as any keeper who has started five or more first-team matches in the EFL or major cup competitions (excluding the EFL Trophy).
“We’ll assess Zach and see how he is,” said manager Chris Hogg after Saturday’s defeat. “It’s obviously not ideal with the timing of the goal and how he got injured. We’ll see what we need to do over the coming days.”
On Fitzsimons, Hogg explained: “Ross has been injured in the last few weeks but he’s trained and he’s working his way back so we’ll have to assess all of the goalkeepers in the coming days.”
Hogg also praised Dadge’s performance, adding: “I actually thought James was a small positive to come out of the day. He came on and his handling was clean. It wasn’t an easy situation for him but all of the goalkeepers are working hard behind the scenes and we’ll assess the situation.”