Cobblers team news for Stevenage - latest on Guthrie, Moore, McAdam and Hammond

The experienced central defender came off in the first half during last weekend’s defeat to Reading and subsequently missed Tuesday’s 2-2 draw at Barnsley. Manager Kevin Nolan did say he hoped to have his captain back for Boro’s visit after the game in midweek but that now seems unlikely.

Fellow centre-back Elliott Moore is in contention after his wife gave birth to a baby boy on Tuesday, while Tyrese Fornah could potentially make his first start in nearly two months having played 30 minutes in midweek.

Deadline day signings Kyle McAdam and Ben Hammond, who were not eligible for the trip to Oakwell, have trained this week and both will hope for a Cobblers debut at Sixfields on Saturday, although with most of his squad now fit, Nolan will be forced to leave a number of players out of his 18.

"Most of the squad is fit and well,” said Nolan. “Jon is a minor one and he might not make Saturday but apart from that, I think we’re all good. The new lads have come in and they want to show what they’re about and prove they can handle it at this level. It’s given an extra edge to training.

"They are two young lads who have done well for the Forest youth team and this is a great opportunity for them. I’ve watched them a lot and I know them really well and I’m really excited to see how they get on.”

After leaving new signing Jake Evans out of his squad in midweek, Nolan faces more tough decisions when he selects his starting XI and bench to face Stevenage.

He added: "There are always different things to consider when picking the team for each game – who’s in a good moment? How can we expose the opposition’s weaknesses? What type of game will it be? Do we need tricky wingers or is pace going to hurt them?

"It’s a headache to pick the subs, let alone the 11, and the good thing is that they are all supporting each other and bouncing off each other. But they also want to take the shirts off each other. It’s up to whoever plays to perform and that’s what creates competition and that’s what we want. It’s really good. The games are coming thick and fast at the moment so they’ll all get their opportunities.”