Cobblers team news for Exeter - Nolan's squad hit by 'niggles'
Kevin Nolan says his squad has a ‘couple of niggles’ going into Saturday’s League One game at Exeter City.
A heavily-rotated Cobblers team won 2-1 at Wimbledon in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday, but Nolan is likely to resort to something close to the starting XI and bench that beat Stevenage last weekend, depending on injuries. Skipper Jon Guthrie is again a doubt while Kyle Edwards and Liam Shaw remain out. Everyone else, that we know of, is available.
"We have a couple of niggles but it’s only 48 hours after the game so we’ll see how we go,” said Nolan. “There’s a bit of tiredness but most of the squad trained today (Thursday) and they all look ready and raring to go for the weekend.”
Such is the fierce competition for places, up to six fit first-team players will need to be omitted from the matchday 18 at Exeter.
"That’s exactly what I want,” Nolan added. “Some players are going to have to be left out of the squad, let alone the starting XI, but we wanted to build competition within the squad, and the important thing is that the lads are sticking together. Everyone’s got to be ready.
"We’re also getting players back fit and available and that’s why we are starting to get better results. We want to take these last three results into the weekend but it’ll be difficult because Gary (Caldwell) has done a fantastic job there.
"Exeter have a really good home record, but we just need to keep improving. I can live with good performances and not winning, what I can’t live with is bad performances and not winning.”