Curle expecting more injured players to return this week

Keith Curle is expecting more of his injured players to return to training this week after four were back in action against Hull City on Saturday.

Harry Smith, who missed two weeks with a leg problem, and Luke Racic, back from a minor knock, both started in the 2-0 defeat at the PTS Academy Stadium.

There was more good news in the second-half when striker Joe Nuttall made his first appearance for the Cobblers since joining on loan from Blackpool nearly a month ago while Nicky Adams played the final 10 minutes.

Adams did not feature in pre-season and missed the first few weeks of the campaign but his return is a timely boost for Curle.

"Nicky's had one training session but I wanted to get him on the pitch because that's his next progression," said the Town boss. "Harry Smith played longer than I wanted him to play and Joe Nuttall played longer than I wanted him to.

"But I still thought there was something in the game for us going into the last 10 minutes. We have got quality delivery and we've got a physical presence in the box and we've got goalscorers on the pitch.

"Even going into the last few minutes, I thought we could get something. If we managed one goal, they can be quite fragile and we saw that in the first 20 minutes of the game."

Racic made way for Adams late on but that was a precautionary move from Curle, who's hoping to have more options available when Town go to bottom-of-the-table Bristol Rovers next weekend.

"Luka's a very competitive individual but I just saw him stretching his hamstring with about 10 minutes to go and I don't need to lose a centre-back," added Curle.

"He's desperate to stay on the pitch but it's about the safety and welfare of the players because we've got a free week coming up and a chance to regroup and build ahead for the next game.

"I'm hoping by Tuesday we will have a few other players back involved in training."