Curle delighted with Holmes' cameo display on second Cobblers debut

Ricky Holmes showed touches of class on his second debut. Picture: Pete Norton

It took Ricky Holmes just 30 seconds of his second Cobblers debut to illustrate why supporters were so excited to see him re-sign for the club this week.

The 33-year-old sealed his sensational return to Northampton on Monday night and only 48 hours later he made his Sixfields homecoming when introduced as a second-half substitute against MK Dons.

It may have surprised some that Keith Curle brought on Holmes with more than half-an-hour to play given he hasn't featured in a competitive fixture in nearly two years, but he's worked hard on his fitness during the last two months.

"We've given him a contract based on the work he's been doing," said Curle. "If he wasn't fit, I wouldn't have given him a contract. As a football club, we don't owe Ricky anything.

"We're very grateful for the work he's done at the club before but he's here to do a job and resurrect his career and we want to give him a platform to perform. He knows, every opportunity he gets, he cherishes.

"He's got a lot of respect for this club, which is important, but he also understands that we need everybody onboard and everybody's got a job to do. It's not just about Ricky Holmes.

"Some have asked when Marc Richards is coming back and I think they'll be clamouring for JJ (O'Toole) to come back as well - let's get the band back together!"

With his very first touch on Tuesday, Holmes cut back onto his left foot. With his second touch, he delivered a pinpoint cross for an unmarked Fraser Horsfall to head disappointingly wide. Although only a glimpse, it was a reminder of his quality.

"I was pleased with Ricky's performance," added Curle. "It was one bit of magic from him as soon as he came on. Everyone was anticipating the cross but he checked back and put it on a plate.

"He's a good player and he's a good professional. It's been a difficult period of time, not only fitness-wise but mentally as well, but he's been a credit to himself because he's accepted the challenge to get back fit and being focused.

"He's put in the hours and he's put in the work with Pablo (Garcia) just to get to the stage where he can compete with us and in training, he's earned a short-term contract.

"That's not disrespectful to him because we need to be mindful of the fact that it's a risk because of the nature of the injury he had, but it's a risk we're prepared to take."