Cobblers want pace and more quality in attack as they target the loan market in January

Bringing in players with more pace and quality at the top end of the pitch is the main priority for Northampton this month, according to the club's head of recruitment Simon Tracey.

Centre-back Lloyd Jones signed on a free just prior to the start of the transfer window while midfielder Chris Lines has departed for Stevenage and Ricky Holmes looks set to leave after his short-term contract expired.

Manager Keith Curle currently has two squad spaces available to strengthen this month, and on Saturday he spoke about wanting to bolster his squad in defence, midfield and attack.

"Keith was deadly serious when he said that but first and foremost we need to bring in one or two players who can help us over the rest of the season," Tracey told the Cobblers Show on BBC Radio Northampton.

"We brought in Lloyd Jones recently and he's done very well and with Alan Sheehan fit again, all of a sudden we look tighter at the back and we're conceding fewer chances so that's been a plus point.

"But we also know we need more quality going forward because we haven't scored enough goals this season. We need more dynamics and pace in the team and that's what we'll try and do in the next three weeks.

"Pace and guile generally matter in wide areas and at the top end of the pitch so that's where we will be looking to recruit and we will be looking for youth and freshness like we did last season with Callum Morton. Those are the kind of players we are targeting."

Curle will have the decisive say on any potential new signing the Cobblers make this month, though they are unlikely to bring in anyone on a permanent deal.

"We only have a couple of loanees at the moment so there's an opportunity to bring in loan players and that's generally what the January window is all about," added Tracey.

"It's the manager's call first and foremost. He will drive it and let us know what is needed and then it's down to the recruitment team, including the coaching staff, to bring the right players that have value for money.

"There's a budget to manage but there's also the numbers to manage because we're only allowed 22 players over the age of 21."