Cobblers striker Marquis aims to '˜enjoy his football again' during Sixfields stay

The 23-year-old has endured a frustrating season to date, as he has struggled to nail down a place at his parent club Millwall and also endured a difficult loan spell at Town’s Sky Bet League Two rivals Leyton Orient.

Marquis has managed just one goal in what Town boss Chris Wilder has labelled ‘a stop-start’ campaign, but the frontman believes he can hit the goal trail again at Sixfields.

A fans’ favourite during his past loan stint at the Cobblers when he helped the club secure its Football League survival in 2014, Marquis is looking forward to getting more game time, and to playing with a smile on his face again.

“It is nice to be back, and hopefully I will be able to play some football between now and the end of the season,” said Marquis, who will be in the squad for Tuesday night’s trip to York City.

“I want to get back to enjoying my football, and I enjoyed it the last time I was here so hopefully I can come back and do so again.

“The team was in a very different situation then compared to now, but we stayed up on the last day a couple of years ago which was a really good feeling.

“It was great to be part of that, and now I just want to help Northampton between now and the end of the season, and hopefully I can help the team get over the line and get promoted.

“The team has got into a great position, I have worked with the manager and Alan Knill before, so for the team to be in this position is not really a surprise to me, and hopefully I can now play a part.

“I really enjoyed here the last time, that was at the wrong end of the table though, and now we are at the right end of the table I can hopefully score some more important goals.”

Marquis, who was regularly played in midfield rather than up front while at Orient, has found his first-team path at the New Den blocked by the Lions strike duo of Lee Gregory and former Cobblers man Steve Morison.

He is joining a Town squad that is sitting pretty in league two, 10 points clear at the top, and despite the Achilles injury that has seen Marc Richards ruled out for at least four weeks, Marquis is well aware he faces a fight to get into the Cobblers team.

“It is already a very strong squad, and I am hoping to be able to add to that,” said Marquis, who scored twice in 14 appearances during his previous stint at Sixfields.

“I know there is competition for places and I think that’s what you need at this time of the season, coming down to the last 15 games.

“Whatever position you play in the team you know you have to keep working hard and performing to keep your place in the team. Hopefully I will get my chance at some point, and then it will be down to me to keep my place.

“I have never actually played in a team that has been promoted, so that would be nice, and hopefully cap it off with winning the league.”

And he added: “It is about playing games, and I haven’t had that opportunity to consistently play in what I would say is my best position.

“Hopefully I will get that opportunity here, but I know it is not a given I will play every game. I know you have to work hard and stay focused.”