Curle believes Sheehan's experience and leadership is exactly what Cobblers need

Keith Curle believes Alan Sheehan's leadership qualities will help bring Cobblers 'out of our shell' after the centre-back joined on an appearance-based deal.

The 34-year-old has spent the last month training with Northampton, and having seen his side struggle on the pitch, particularly defensively, Curle thinks the former Luton man is the right fit to add a bit of experience to the back-line.

"The first thing people might say is that he lacks pace," said Curle. "Well I managed Alan Sheehan about eight years ago and he lacked pace then but no matter what training regime we do, I'm never going to get those extra two or three yards out of him.

"But the lad finds yards in his head and he can play and he can defend. He's also had a good upbringing and good pedigree and he's not shy about telling people what they need to do and getting a reaction out of players.

"I think that's what we need at the minute. We need to come out of our shell a little bit and organise ourselves and spot those dangers and spot those threats and spot them earlier than we have been doing.

"Having a old head and having an experienced head is very important and Alan is respected in the changing room. He's been training with us for three or four weeks so he's got a good understanding within the group.

"He's a professional and that's been picked up by the players very quickly. He does the right things at the right times. Even when he's not been attached to the football club, he's been organising and telling people where they need to be and he's done it in the right way."